In a dramatic shake-up that has sent shockwaves through Zimbabwe’s ruling party, Zanu-PF Secretary General Obert Mpofu has been abruptly stripped of his powerful position and demoted to the far less influential post of Secretary for Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The move, announced this week by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, has ignited intense speculation about Mpofu’s alleged involvement in a controversial corruption dossier recently presented to the party’s politburo.

Replacing Mpofu is Jacob Mudenda, the National Assembly Speaker and former Treasurer General of Zanu-PF, signaling a significant power shift within the party’s upper echelons. The politburo, the supreme decision-making body responsible for maintaining party unity and oversight, now faces fresh questions about internal rifts and possible cover-ups.

Party activist Tonderai Chidawa did not hold back, accusing Mpofu of failing to maintain cohesion within Zanu-PF. Speaking to a local online TV channel, Chidawa suggested Mpofu may have known about the origins of the explosive dossier implicating senior party officials and prominent businessmen in corruption but deliberately stayed silent. “He was failing to unite the party. The party is disintegrated,” Chidawa declared. He further questioned the conspicuous absence of Mpofu’s name from the dossier, asking bluntly, “Why is his name not being mentioned?”

The dossier, reportedly originating from South Africa, names high-profile businessmen including Wicknell Chivayo and Kudakwashe Tagwirei. Vice President Constantino Chiwenga is said to have confronted Mnangagwa over the lack of arrests of those implicated. Despite this, Zanu-PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa sought to downplay the scandal, insisting the politburo had not engaged in detailed discussions about the dossier.

Adding fuel to the fire, Chidawa revealed that Mpofu’s demotion triggered celebrations in his home provinces. “People are celebrating. There are celebrations in Matebeleland. We are talking of the downfall of a man who owns many big buildings in Bulawayo and Victoria Falls,” he said, hinting at wealth accumulation that has long raised eyebrows.

This upheaval comes amid a fierce succession battle within Zanu-PF, with factions loyal to Mnangagwa and Chiwenga fiercely competing for influence as the party’s annual conference looms. Observers say the Mpofu saga underscores the deepening factionalism and the high stakes of power struggles shaping Zimbabwe’s political future.

As the dust settles, all eyes remain on the politburo and Mnangagwa’s next moves.

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