A storm is gathering at the heart of Zimbabwe's leadership. Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has drawn a definitive line in the sand, issuing a blistering warning against the very corruption scandals that have entangled figures close to the highest office, and sparking fears of a political collision.
His words have sent shockwaves through the nation, signalling that a simmering power struggle may have just reached its boiling point.
A Fiery Warning Shot
Speaking at the Construction Industry Federation of Zimbabwe's annual congress, the Vice President left no room for interpretation. He delivered a fiery rebuke of the unethical practices he says are crippling the nation's progress and destroying its reputation on the world stage.
“We cannot and will not tolerate corruption, tender manipulation, or unethical dealings that undermine confidence and compromise delivery,” Chiwenga declared.
He argued that the country's economic survival depends on a complete return to integrity, stating plainly: “All thriving economies the world over were built through sacrifice, honesty, and hard work.”
The Scandals in the Shadows
While the Vice President has not yet publicly named those in his crosshairs, his condemnation lands amidst a series of explosive allegations involving massive government tenders awarded without transparency.
These include:
A US$40 million contract for electoral materials where prices were allegedly inflated by 235%, linked to controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo.
A government contract for cancer treatment equipment worth approximately US$437 million, also linked to Chivayo, which was reportedly awarded without a competitive bidding process.
Over US$1 billion in contracts for the Command Agriculture scheme, secured by a company linked to Kudakwashe Tagwirei, from which over US$280 million in funds were later reported as unaccounted for.
Opaque contracts for the Presidential Borehole Scheme awarded to a company run by Paul Tungwarara, an adviser to the President.
These controversies form the unspoken backdrop to the Vice President's declaration of war on those he has previously called "zvigananda"—a Shona term for the unjustly wealthy.
More Than Words: A Power Struggle Emerges
This anti-corruption crusade is unfolding amid an intensifying succession battle between factions loyal to President Mnangagwa and VP Chiwenga.
Analysts warn the deep rift could escalate, with some suggesting the political manoeuvring is reaching a critical stage. The tensions were made plain recently when President Mnangagwa reshuffled his Politburo, demoting Chiwenga's key ally, Obert Mpofu, from his powerful post to a less influential position.
The move was widely seen as a strategic play to weaken the Vice President's hand. But with this new public salvo, Chiwenga is signalling he will not be silenced. The question now is, what comes next?
