President Emmerson Mnangagwa has urged Zanu-PF members to reject corruption, tribalism and regionalism, warning that such conduct threatens to alienate the ruling party from citizens and derail national development.
Addressing delegates at the 22nd Zanu-PF National People’s Conference in Mutare on Friday, Mnangagwa said the party remains united under its founding values and would not tolerate individuals seeking personal gain at the expense of collective ideals.
“Zanu-PF is a strong and united party with a constitution, sound ideology, clearly laid-out structures and revolutionary principles that do not change according to the self-interests of cliques. It is not private property, it can never fit into anyone’s pocket,” he said.
His remarks follow weeks of escalating tensions between Mnangagwa and his deputy, Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, after Chiwenga reportedly accused several businessmen, Kudakwashe Tagwirei, Wicknell Chivhayo, Scott Sakupwanya and Delish Nguwaya, of state capture and siphoning more than US$3 billion in public funds. The allegations have exposed widening fissures within the ruling party.
President Mnangagwa’s address at the conference followed a rebuff of Chiwenga’s allegations of corruption and state capture, delivered through Justice Minister and Zanu-PF Legal Affairs Secretary Ziyambi Ziyambi at a recent Politburo meeting.
He characterised the claims as an attempt to distort party procedures and undermine the president’s authority, warning that they bordered on treason. The rebuttal underscored Mnangagwa’s determination to maintain control and discipline amid escalating tensions within Zanu-PF’s top leadership.
Mnangagwa, without naming individuals, called for discipline and transparency across all party structures.
“Corruption, corruption, corruption, of any kind, has no place among the rank and file of the party and indeed, in our country. It is cancerous to the ongoing national development agenda,” he said.
He reminded delegates of his 2018 remarks at the Esigodini conference, where he called for honesty and accountability among party members.
“That position still holds. Excesses and acts of commission or omission for corrupt ends risk alienating the party from the masses and must be expunged from our body politic. Discipline and integrity of all Zanu-PF members should be above question,” he added.
Support CITE’s fearless, independent journalism. Your donation helps us amplify community voices, fight misinformation, and hold power to account. Help keep the truth alive. Donate today