President Emmerson Mnangagwa has reshuffled ZANU PF’s politburo, with Secretary-General Obert Mpofu emerging as the biggest casualty after being reassigned to the less influential portfolio of Secretary for Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
The changes, announced on Tuesday by party spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa, took immediate effect.
Mpofu has been replaced as Secretary-General by Jacob Mudenda, while Patrick Chinamasa assumes Mudenda’s former role. Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi has been deployed as Secretary for Legal Affairs.
Prior to the reshuffle, Mudenda served as Treasurer-General, Chinamasa was Secretary for Legal Affairs, and Ziyambi was responsible for ICT.
Mutsvangwa said the reorganisation underscored the party’s enduring commitment to the policies, principles, and ethos of ZANU PF, as well as its “Permanent Zimbabwe Revolution” in service of the people and the nation.
The shake-up comes amid mounting instability and factional infighting within the ruling party, ahead of its National People’s Conference scheduled for next month in Mutare.
The politburo, one of ZANU PF’s most powerful organs, has recently come under scrutiny following the circulation of a dossier allegedly linked to Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, which accused several officials of corruption.
Mpofu, long regarded as close to Chiwenga, Mnangagwa’s bitter rival in the succession battle, has been seen as one of the Vice-President’s strongest allies within ZANU PF.
According to political analysts, Mpofu’s demotion is being widely interpreted as a calculated attempt by Mnangagwa to weaken Chiwenga’s power base inside the party. Said a commentator:
“These changes show a clear reshuffling of loyalties around Mnangagwa, as key figures are repositioned in strategic portfolios.
“The immediate effect is to weaken Mpofu, a Chiwenga ally, while strengthening Mnangagwa’s hand by giving trusted loyalists like Mudenda and Chinamasa more central responsibilities.”
