A leaked audio recording has revealed an escalating power battle within Zimbabwe’s ruling ZANU PF party.
The recording suggests that President Emmerson Mnangagwa attempted to grant clemency to Marry Mubaiwa, the ailing ex-wife of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, but Chiwenga vehemently opposed the move.
The revelation comes from an audio clip featuring ZANU PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa, released by UK-based investigative group Dug Up.
In the recording, Mutsvangwa delivers a blistering critique of Chiwenga, accusing him of being ruthless and incapable of leading, further exposing the widening rift within the party’s hierarchy.
“When the President tries to grant her clemency, Chiwenga refuses. His cruelty is evident, especially towards women. He knows he cannot win an election, so he avoids the democratic process.
But the president has challenged him, insisting he must gain the people’s support instead of relying on backroom deals,” Mutsvangwa is heard saying.
Marry Mubaiwa’s Legal and Health Struggles
Marry Mubaiwa, a former model and Chiwenga’s ex-wife, has been entangled in a long legal battle while also battling severe health issues.
She faces multiple charges, including an alleged attempt to assassinate Chiwenga in 2019 while he was hospitalised in South Africa, as well as accusations of fraud and money laundering.
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Despite suffering from acute lymphoedema, which has led to the amputation of several limbs, Mubaiwa has been repeatedly denied permission to travel abroad for medical treatment.
Her lawyers have argued that she is physically unfit to stand trial, but their appeals have been ignored by the courts.
Mutsvangwa condemned Chiwenga’s treatment of Mubaiwa, warning that his actions could have serious political repercussions.
“Half of Zimbabwe’s electorate consists of women, yet he has subjected his former wife to immense suffering, barring her from seeing her own children. This cruelty will not be forgotten,” Mutsvangwa reportedly said.
Mnangagwa vs. Chiwenga: The Battle for Power
Mutsvangwa further claimed that Chiwenga is seeking to be handpicked as Mnangagwa’s successor without facing an internal election, something Mnangagwa has refused to entertain.
“He wants to be declared the next president while at the same time attempting to push out the current one. How does that even work?” Mutsvangwa questioned.
He also took direct aim at Chiwenga’s educational background, suggesting that his military experience does not compensate for a lack of formal schooling.
“If you want to assess whether a Shona-speaking person has had proper education, just listen to how they pronounce certain letters,” Mutsvangwa remarked, seemingly mocking Chiwenga’s speech patterns.
While Chiwenga holds a PhD in Ethics from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, speculation persists that he did not personally write his thesis, further fuelling doubts about his academic credentials.
