Tinotenda Hove- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has issued a fresh warning against factionalism and internal divisions within Zanu PF, admitting through his remarks that the ruling party is grappling with cliques and conduct threatening its unity ahead of its 23rd National People’s Conference.

Addressing the party’s 133rd Ordinary Session of the Central Committee at Zanu PF headquarters in Harare on Wednesday, Mnangagwa appeared to take aim at members whose political manoeuvres threaten to derail the party’s agenda.

“The Party and national interest remain central and at the core of our discussions. I urge us to distinguish between principled contributions intended to improve the Party and reject conduct that seeks to divide or derail the Conference Agenda,” he said.

In a striking admission of the divisions confronting the ruling party, Mnangagwa warned against the influence of factions and individuals pursuing their own interests at the expense of the organisation.

“Preferences of cliques and narrow inclinations, among other retrogressive acts, have no place in our Party. Hatidi mweya waRegioni muMusangano wedu,” he said, using the Shona phrase to condemn what he described as the spirit of Legion within the party.

His remarks come amid growing political tensions within Zanu PF, with succession manoeuvres and rival power centres increasingly dominating discussions about the party’s future leadership.

Although Mnangagwa did not name individuals he believes are responsible for the divisions, his emphasis on cliques and factional conduct has fuelled questions about the state of relations among senior party figures.

The President also called for an examination of the party’s internal structures, acknowledging the need to address weaknesses and restore commitment to its founding principles.
“Overall, we have a duty to examine our internal systems, address the gaps, while individually and collectively recommitting ourselves to the Party’s core values,” he said.

Mnangagwa’s appeal for unity presents a challenge for a party that has repeatedly projected an image of cohesion while facing persistent internal power struggles. His call for members to reject divisive behaviour also raises questions about why such warnings remain necessary within an organisation that has been in power since independence in 1980.

Turning to the forthcoming 23rd National People’s Conference, Mnangagwa urged delegates to focus on resolutions, productivity, industrialisation and economic modernisation.
He said the gathering would review the party’s activities since its previous conference and determine its next course of action.

“As we attend to the Conference Agenda, I urge all members to be result-oriented, and help guide the delegates towards our set objectives. Deliberations should be conducted in a manner which demonstrates that we are a mature and democratic Party,” he said.

Mnangagwa also commended the Central Committee’s standing committees for their oversight work, saying the report prepared for the conference was ready for submission.

However, his repeated calls for unity and rejection of factionalism have placed internal party discipline firmly on the agenda.

With the conference approaching, the central question is whether Zanu PF can move beyond warnings about cliques and divisions to resolve the power struggles threatening its carefully cultivated image of unity.