Zim GBC News | Political Correspondent
President Emmerson Mnangagwa is reportedly orchestrating a significant political realignment, including a cabinet reshuffle and a shake-up within the military high command, amid plans to extend his term beyond 2025, according to investigative journalist Hopewell Chin’ono.
The manoeuvres are said to be aimed at consolidating power and politically crippling Vice President Constantino Chiwenga. The plans are expected to be formalized at an upcoming ZANU-PF conference in Mutare.
Citing his sources, Chin’ono reported that officials from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) were recently summoned for a “training session” by the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO). This move is allegedly in preparation for a party resolution demanding President Mnangagwa’s term be extended to 2030, paving the way for a national referendum.
“That referendum, like past polls in Zimbabwe, will be manipulated,” Chin’ono stated.
On the cabinet front, the current Sports Minister, General Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe, an ally of VP Chiwenga, is tipped to be removed.
“Mnangagwa’s clansman and sports trainer, Temba Mliswa, is tipped to replace him,” the journalist reported.
In a parallel move, the head of the military, General Valerio Sibanda, is said to be facing forced retirement as early as October. Insiders described Sibanda as “too professional,” which, according to Chin’ono, is “code for removing officers who might insist on rules and accountability when the political leadership needs pliant military officials.”
These actions appear designed to isolate Vice President Chiwenga, who is seen as a key political rival.
“After the Mutare conference, and short of a miracle such as a successful internal pushback by the security services, the Mnangagwa camp intends to be in a position to totally sideline Chiwenga,” Chin’ono claimed.
He added that Chiwenga’s political options are narrowing, noting,
“General Chiwenga has been crippled politically and his only way out is through a military coup which is looking like a pipe dream with each day as Mnangagwa continues to purge anyone who hasn’t shown loyalty.”
The report also sheds light on President Mnangagwa’s recent cancellation of his trip to the United Nations General Assembly. The journalist revealed that the President decided not to travel “fearing that his allies will be arrested by Chiwenga when he is acting president, as there are said to be prepared dockets waiting to be executed.”
If these reports materialize, Zimbabwe could witness a further politicization of state institutions and a deeper erosion of democratic norms.
Follow Zim GBC News for the latest updates:
· X (Twitter): @ZimGbc
·Instagram: @ZimGBCNews
·TikTok: @ZimGBCNews_01
·Facebook: Zim GBC News
·YouTube: Zim GBC News
Get real-time alerts on WhatsApp:
+263 773 820 323
Zim GBC News | Global News From An African Perspective©2025