A major political earthquake has shaken the ruling Zanu PF party after President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s longtime allies, Christopher Mutsvangwa and Victor Matemadanda, were soundly defeated at the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association elective congress held yesterday in Gweru. The dramatic loss marks a shift in the power struggle inside Zanu PF, where Mnangagwa is locked in a fierce leadership battle with his deputy, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga.

Christopher Mutsvangwa, who had led the war veterans since 2013 and once stood as a powerful voice in support of Mnangagwa, suffered a crushing defeat. Cephas Ncube from Bulawayo province won the chairmanship with 294 votes, while Mutsvangwa managed a humiliating 11 votes—coming in last. The defeat was even more symbolic because it happened in Gweru, Mnangagwa’s political stronghold.

Victor Matemadanda, another loyal Mnangagwa supporter and outgoing Secretary-General of the war veterans, also failed badly. He received just 75 votes, coming third behind Albert Ncube, who got 90 votes. Shorai Nyamangondo was elected vice chairperson unopposed.

The new executive now includes several members seen as aligned to Chiwenga’s faction. Joel Murerengwa is now Secretary-General, Thomas Manyima will handle Legal Affairs, Vincent Chinone was elected to oversee Transport, Section Ncube will handle Finance, and Sanik Nguni takes over Security. Cde Nyembesi Togara was elected to lead Women Affairs, and Samuel Parirenyatwa is the new Political Commissar.

The most striking feature of the new leadership is the rise of the Ncubes—three of them now holding powerful positions in the war veterans’ executive. All are believed to support Vice President Chiwenga, reinforcing suspicions that Chiwenga’s faction is rapidly gaining control within the party.

This massive shake-up comes at a critical moment. Zanu PF’s annual conference is set for October 22 in Bulawayo, and the Gweru congress results have already tilted the scales toward Chiwenga’s side.

Christopher Mutsvangwa had been a major political actor since Mnangagwa took power in the 2017 coup. He was appointed Minister of War Veterans and served as an influential adviser. But his fortunes took a nosedive in 2018 when he was dropped as a presidential adviser. He was later fired as minister in February 2024.

Victor Matemadanda, who is currently Zimbabwe’s ambassador to Mozambique, had once held the influential position of Zanu PF political commissar. But like Mutsvangwa, he too has been pushed aside as new power players emerge.

These defeats are more than personal losses. They represent a broader decline in Mnangagwa’s grip on key party structures. War veterans have always played a major role in shaping the political direction of Zanu PF. The fact that they are now turning their backs on Mnangagwa’s allies shows growing dissatisfaction within the ranks.

Mnangagwa and Chiwenga are increasingly seen as rivals. Though Mnangagwa insists he will step down in 2028, rumors persist that he wants to extend his rule to 2030 or beyond. This has sparked fierce resistance from Chiwenga’s faction, which argues that any attempt to stay beyond the constitutional two-term limit is unacceptable.

Many Zimbabweans are now questioning Mnangagwa’s legacy. After removing Robert Mugabe, he promised a new era of reform, prosperity, and accountability. Instead, he has delivered continued economic hardship, growing repression, and endless power struggles. His defeat at the war veterans’ congress may be a warning sign that even the party faithful are losing faith in his leadership.

For now, the winds inside Zanu PF are shifting. With Chiwenga’s allies taking over the war veterans’ leadership, Mnangagwa’s position looks increasingly fragile. The battle for 2028 has already begun—and the Gweru congress may go down as the day the war veterans turned their backs on Mnangagwa.