Marapira Denies Rift Between Mnangagwa And Chiwenga Over ZANU PF Succession

ZANU-PF Information and Publicity Director Farai Marapira has dismissed claims of animosity between President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga over succession.

Reports suggest that a faction within ZANU-PF backing Chiwenga is strongly opposed to Mnangagwa extending his second term from 2028 to 2030.

It is also alleged that Mnangagwa favours his clansman, Kudakwashe Tagwirei, as his successor rather than either of his deputies.

Marapira, however, insisted that the relationship between Mnangagwa, Chiwenga, and the other Vice-President, Kembo Mohadi, is one of brotherhood and mutual respect. Said Marapira:

“The relationship between the President and his two Vice Presidents is a relationship of brotherhood. These are people who have been in the trenches for the independence of Zimbabwe.

“You know, they’ve faced death and they’ve sacrificed along others for this country to be free. So, all this talk of animosity, all this talk of hatred and fighting, these are just narrow agendas by other parties trying to bring alarm and despondency within our rank and file. But our party members know how communication cascades.

“So, this is excitable news to non-members of the party, but to the members of the party coming to conference, especially our delegates, these are non-events and these are non-issues because everyone in the party knows how we communicate. And there is no such thing.

So, as a party, we are solid behind President Mnangagwa.”