Tinoda Machakaire, the embattled leader of the Zanu PF Youth League, is learning a hard lesson — leadership without unity is a recipe for disaster. His recent decision to reshuffle the Youth League national executive has caused chaos in the party, sparked rebellion from within, and placed his future in serious doubt.

On December 9, Machakaire shocked the party by announcing a surprise reshuffle of the Youth League’s top leadership. Without consulting key figures or getting permission from the party’s First Secretary — President Emmerson Mnangagwa — Machakaire made sweeping changes, claiming he was aligning the youth wing with Vision 2030. But instead of praise, he was met with resistance, outrage, and open defiance.

John Paradza, the deputy secretary of the Youth League, immediately rejected the reshuffle. He told affected members to ignore the changes and remain in their positions. Paradza insisted that Machakaire’s move was unconstitutional and dangerous. Backing him was none other than Zanu PF’s Secretary for Administration, Obert Mpofu — a powerful voice in the party who confirmed the reshuffle was not approved and should never have happened.

Machakaire’s changes included moving Tsungai Makumbe to secretary for finance, replacing Garikai Zonde, and making Phineas Makombe the new secretary for commissariat. Phillipa Mukoko was named secretary for external affairs, and Munashe Mtutsa took over information and publicity. But these changes now hang in limbo.

Instead of calming tensions, Machakaire tried to fight back. He wrote to Paradza, ordering him to withdraw his message and warning of consequences. But the backlash only grew louder. Party structures across the country, especially in Paradza’s strongholds of Masvingo and Midlands, are rallying against Machakaire. Some youth members are reportedly skipping his meetings. Others are quietly calling for his removal.

Obert Mpofu has added more fuel to the fire. In a letter explaining the party’s position, he reminded everyone that only the President has the authority to approve such reshuffles. He said both Machakaire and Paradza had acted out of line and that the matter would be referred to higher authorities for resolution. That means senior party leaders — possibly including Mnangagwa himself — will now decide Machakaire’s fate.

The biggest problem for Machakaire is that he seems to lack real support within the Youth League. His popularity is weak, his events have poor attendance, and his attempts to assert authority have backfired. For a Youth League leader, this is a death sentence. In Zanu PF, power is not just about position — it’s about backing, numbers, and loyalty. Right now, Machakaire appears to have none of those.

His reshuffle, meant to show strength, has instead exposed his weakness. The phrase “hoist by his own petard” — meaning destroyed by his own actions — fits perfectly. By making changes without consensus, Machakaire has invited a political storm that could sweep him out of office.

What happens next is unclear. Senior leaders will now look into the matter. But one thing is certain: Machakaire’s grip on the Youth League is slipping. And unless something drastic changes, he may soon be replaced.

This whole episode is a warning to others in Zanu PF and beyond. Power without process is dangerous. Leadership without support is fragile. And ambition without wisdom can destroy a career. Machakaire may have thought he was showing strength — but instead, he has shown the country how quickly power can unravel when built on shaky ground.