In November 2017, Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga showed great loyalty to Emmerson Mnangagwa. When Robert Mugabe fired Mnangagwa as Vice-President, Mnangagwa had to run away to South Africa. Many thought that was the end of his political life. But Chiwenga did not give up on him. He put his own life in danger to help him come back.

Two weeks later, Chiwenga led a military coup. It was brave and risky. He removed Mugabe after 37 years of painful rule. Chiwenga made sure that Mnangagwa could return home and take over. Mnangagwa came back not just as a politician but as a hero. Chiwenga did the hard work that opened the door for Mnangagwa to become president.

After that, Chiwenga stood by Mnangagwa through everything. He supported him in the 2018 and 2023 elections, which many people say were unfair. Chiwenga also supported Mnangagwa’s Vision2030 plan. He even gave him the ancient title “Munhumutapa,” which once belonged to powerful kings. Mnangagwa liked the title so much that he made his own birthday, 15 September, a public holiday called Munhumutapa Day. It was all to make himself look greater.

Chiwenga showed his loyalty in public. In 2022, he kneeled before Mnangagwa at a Zanu PF congress. Even when Chiwenga got very sick after being poisoned, he stayed loyal. He kept putting Mnangagwa first.

But now, things have changed. Mnangagwa wants a third term as president, even though he once said he would only serve one term. This has caused a big fight between the two men. Chiwenga feels cheated. He believed it was his turn to be president in 2023. Mnangagwa does not want that. He does not see Chiwenga as equal and wants to stay in power.

Mnangagwa is now removing the people who helped him rise. This is something that has happened in many countries after a coup. Leaders like Stalin, Idi Amin, and Mugabe removed their close allies once they got power. Mnangagwa is doing the same. He is afraid of losing control. He recently removed Lieutenant-General Anselem Sanyatwe, a man who helped with the 2017 coup. This shows he is clearing out people he sees as a threat.

Some say Mnangagwa once helped Chiwenga too. When Mugabe wanted to remove Chiwenga before the coup, Mnangagwa stood by him. After the coup, Mnangagwa gave him many top jobs, like Vice-President and Defence Minister. But back then, Mnangagwa needed Chiwenga’s support. He had no other choice.

Still, Chiwenga gave Mnangagwa more than he got back. Without Chiwenga, there would be no President Mnangagwa today. It was Chiwenga’s courage that ended Mugabe’s rule. He stayed loyal through many storms.

Now, Mnangagwa is making sure Chiwenga never becomes president. The fight between them is getting worse. Friends have become enemies. Mugabe once warned Chiwenga about this. Today, that warning has come true. Zimbabwe’s politics are once again full of danger, betrayal, and broken promises.