Tinotenda Hove-– Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa on Wednesday publicly appealed for unity within his party, a move widely seen as an acknowledgment of deepening divisions, factionalism, and growing resistance among senior members.

Addressing the 388th Ordinary Session of the Zanu PF Politburo at the party’s headquarters in Harare, Mnangagwa urged party structures to stop gatekeeping and allow new members to join, signalling rising internal tensions ahead of the 2028 elections.

“Zanu PF must accommodate new members,” he said. “Let us not put ourselves and individuals above the party. Our activities must be guided by the constitutions of the party.”

His remarks come amid complaints that long-serving elites are blocking new entrants to protect their influence, creating friction within the party. Mnangagwa warned the Politburo to take responsibility and restore discipline, saying: “The Politburo must provide bold guidance for the party. Let us remain disciplined and never put the party’s name into disrepute.”

Analysts say the unusually strong language reflects growing instability within Zanu PF, where power struggles and mistrust continue to overshadow government business.

Mnangagwa also repeated his claim that unnamed enemies were working to destabilise the country. “I challenge the nation to continue to be vigilant safeguarding against any machinations by our enemies,” he said — a statement critics often dismiss as a tactic to deflect from domestic problems.

The President went on to push his long-standing vision for Zimbabwe to become an upper middle-income economy by 2030, despite widespread doubt from citizens struggling with rising prices, low wages, and deteriorating public services.

“Let us turn Zimbabwe to an upper middle income economy by 2030. The duty is ours,” he said. Mnangagwa added that sectors such as manufacturing, tourism, commodity exports, and diaspora remittances were giving a “positive balance” on the current account.

However, the optimistic rhetoric did little to mask the underlying message of the day: Zanu PF is grappling with serious internal turmoil, and its leader is now openly pleading for order.