Tinotenda Hove – President and First Secretary of ZANU PF, Emmerson Mnangagwa, has moved to consolidate his influence within the ruling party by formally ushering retired army commander Philip Valerio Sibanda into the powerful Politburo structure at a time when tensions and succession battles continue to simmer in ZANU PF.

Addressing the 393rd Ordinary Session of the Politburo on Wednesday, Mnangagwa rolled out the red carpet for the former military commander, whose entry into the party’s top decision-making body is likely to deepen speculation about increasing militarisation and factional manoeuvring within the ruling party.

“I warmly welcome you to this 393rd Ordinary Session of the Politburo. I recognise and welcome in a special way, Retired General, Cde Philip Valerio Sibanda, who was known during the struggle as ‘Cde Ananias Gwenzi’,” Mnangagwa said.

“In appointing him to this important structure of our colossal revolutionary mass Party, I am confident that his broad experience will help advance the ongoing work towards the growth and development of our Party.”

Political observers are likely to interpret Sibanda’s elevation as a calculated move by Mnangagwa to strengthen loyalist networks within ZANU PF as internal divisions continue to grow ahead of future leadership battles.

Mnangagwa also used the gathering to push the party’s unity narrative while warning against divisions, remarks that come as discontent continues to emerge from sections of the ruling party over uneven development and internal power dynamics.

“Cultural diversity is a source of unity, social cohesion, and sustainable development. It should never be a basis for division, conflict or discord. There is no culture which is superior than the other. All cultures must be respected,” he said.

The President further appeared irritated by complaints over regional inequalities and uneven distribution of projects, dismissing critics who question why certain areas appear to benefit more than others.

“Hatidi avo vanonyunyuta kuti sei izvi zvaitwa uko, kwete kwedu. Ayaiwa! Tirinyika imwe chete,” Mnangagwa declared.

“Budiriro iri-kuitika kwese-kwese munyika yedu. Investments in our country, no matter where they occur should be a rallying factor and never manipulated to sow seeds of divisions.”

Mnangagwa also signalled an aggressive push toward tighter party coordination and control by calling for increased use of digital technologies and Artificial Intelligence in ZANU PF operations.

“To better serve the Central Committee, the Politburo as an executive committee of the Central Committee is urged to always serve with revolutionary vigilance ideological clarity, integrity and servant leadership,” he said.

“In doing so, let us embrace digital technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence, in Party operations, guided of course, by our agreed communication guidelines and the overarching National Artificial Intelligence Strategy.”

The remarks come as critics accuse ZANU PF of focusing more on consolidating political control and internal survival strategies while ordinary Zimbabweans continue to grapple with economic hardships, unemployment and deteriorating public services.