Zanu-PF stalwart Patrick Chinamasa has praised Vice-President Kembo Mohadi for his loyalty to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, in remarks widely interpreted as a veiled swipe at Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga amid tensions within the ruling party.
Speaking at the inaugural President’s Ball fundraising dinner at the Hippodrome in Harare, Chinamasa singled out Mohadi for standing by Mnangagwa, stressing that loyalty was an essential quality for anyone holding the office of Vice-President.
“To Comrade Vice-President Kembo Mohadi, I say thank you for being loyal to the president,” Chinamasa said.
“When you are a vice-president, you must be loyal to your leader,” he added, reiterating his appreciation for Mohadi..
Although Chinamasa did not mention Chiwenga by name, his remarks attracted attention because of the reported succession tensions between the two senior Zanu-PF figures. Chiwenga was also the only member of the party’s presidium who did not attend the fundraising dinner.
The comments came against the backdrop of growing speculation about divisions within the ruling party. Zanu-PF had cancelled a politburo meeting a day earlier following disagreements over proposed constitutional amendments intended to align the party’s constitution with the national Constitution.
Chiwenga had also reportedly stayed away from the funeral of businessman Wicknell Chivayo, a prominent Zanu-PF benefactor, further fuelling speculation about tensions within the party’s leadership.
However, Chinamasa made no direct reference to Chiwenga in his address.
Introducing Mnangagwa as the guest of honour, Chinamasa described the fundraising dinner as a historic occasion, marking the beginning of a new tradition of cooperation between Zanu-PF and the corporate and business community
The event was organised to mobilise resources for the party’s 23rd National People’s Conference, scheduled to run in Chinhoyi from October 12 to 17, as well as to strengthen its capacity to finance programmes beyond the conference.
Chinamasa said the dinner had raised more than US$9 million, surpassing its original US$6 million target by more than 50 percent. The fundraising drive was led by committee chairman Philip Chiyangwa.
Departing from his prepared speech, Chinamasa also spoke about the relationship between political stability and economic growth, arguing that investment required unity, peace, continuity and stability.
“Capital is a coward,” he told the gathering, adding that capital felt safe under Mnangagwa’s leadership.
He urged business leaders to support Zanu-PF, arguing that economic activity thrived in a political environment that encouraged investment and stability.
Chinamasa said the turnout demonstrated the business community’s confidence in the President and reminded guests that their participation was intended to serve a fundraising purpose beyond attending a dinner.
“I trust that by now everyone has understood their assignment,” he said.
He also credited Mnangagwa with mobilising resources for Zanu-PF since 1980 and strengthening the party’s engagement with the corporate sector.
Chinamasa linked the President’s leadership to the country’s Vision 2030 development agenda and the philosophy “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo” (a country is built by its own people), calling on party members, supporters and business partners to contribute towards the party’s financial needs.