Zimbabwe is now facing a serious power fight between Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga and President Emmerson Mnangagwa. The fight is getting stronger as Chiwenga takes control of key military leaders. Last week, he showed this power by helping to appoint his ally, Air Marshal John Jacob Nzvede, as the new head of the Air Force of Zimbabwe. Nzvede replaces retired Air Marshal Elson Moyo. This move is not just about the army — it’s also about politics and who will lead Zimbabwe in the future.
Nzvede is very close to Chiwenga. He and another key ally, Lieutenant-General Anselem Sanyatwe, now lead important parts of the army. These two men also played key roles in Chiwenga’s recent wedding. The wedding was not just a personal event — it was a show of power. By inviting these army leaders, Chiwenga was sending a message to everyone: he is ready to take charge, and he has strong support behind him.
This comes at a time when President Mnangagwa is still trying to find a way to run for a third term in office. Many people, even inside Zanu PF, are not happy about this. The constitution only allows two terms. So far, Mnangagwa has not officially said he wants to run again, but his allies are pushing the idea. Chiwenga, however, is now clearly pushing back.
Chiwenga’s history with the army is long and deep. He helped lead the 2017 coup that removed Robert Mugabe and put Mnangagwa in power. But now the two men are no longer on the same side. Chiwenga is using his old ties to the army to build support for himself. With people like Nzvede and Sanyatwe in top positions, he is showing that the army may now be more loyal to him than to Mnangagwa.
The army has always been very important in Zimbabwe’s politics. It played a big role during the war for independence, during the 2008 election crisis, and in the 2017 coup. Now, it looks like it will once again help decide who will lead the country.
There is also talk about the future of General Philip Valerio Sibanda, the commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces. Mnangagwa wanted to push him into a political role by putting him in the Zanu PF politburo. But Sibanda did not agree. His future, and whether he supports Chiwenga or Mnangagwa, could be very important in what happens next.
What is clear is that Chiwenga is making his move now. He is not waiting. He is surrounding himself with trusted military leaders and showing the country that he is ready to lead. This could be the beginning of a big power fight in Zanu PF, with huge effects for Zimbabwe.
The people of Zimbabwe, and the world, are watching closely. What happens next could change the future of the country. If Mnangagwa tries to stay beyond 2028, it could lead to more serious problems inside the government and the ruling party. Chiwenga looks ready to stop that from happening.
In this new chapter of Zimbabwe’s story, the question is no longer just about elections. It is about who controls the army — and who is brave enough to challenge the president. Right now, it looks like that person is Chiwenga.