ZANU PF provincial leaders in Bulawayo have distanced themselves from a statement circulating on social media indicating that the organ had endorsed Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga to take over the party leadership from President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Mnangagwa, who is the Zanu PF first secretary, recently announced that he would not seek extension after the expiry of his tenure in 2028.
However, some Zanu PF members are calling for Mnangagwa to extend his term of office until 2030.
The structures pushing for term extension have held rallies across the country in support of that cause.
Bulawayo province is yet to endorse the call for prolonged stay in office, amid speculation that the structures are rooting for Chiwenga to take over the hot seat.
Part of the message that went viral on WhatsApp groups in Bulawayo referred to Chiwenga as “uMkhwenyana”.
“We are deeply-honoured to place the trust of the people of Bulawayo and broader Matabeleland region on uMkhwenyana, who is committed to ensuring that every voice is heard and that our region’s needs are met,” the statement attributed to a Colonel (Rtd) Mazinyane read.
Chiwenga’s wife, Miniyothabo, hails from Insiza district in Matabeleland South province.
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However, Zanu PF Bulawayo provincial spokesperson Archie Chiponda dismissed the statement.
“For now, I cannot give you any comment apart from saying that it did not come from Zanu PF Bulawayo provincial leadership,” he said.
Zanu PF provincial structures have recently been clamouring for endorsement of Mnangagwa for another term in office when his second and final comes to an end in 2028.
The ruling party is going through a deja vu moment as recent events have begun to increasingly mirror an intense succession battle that took centre stage before the November 2017 military coup that toppled the late former President Robert Mugabe.
