Chinamasa Praises Mohadi’s Loyalty in Apparent Swipe at Chiwenga

Story By Staff Reporter

Zanu PF stalwart Patrick Chinamasa thanked Vice-President Kembo Mohadi for his loyalty to President Emmerson Mnangagwa at the inaugural President’s Ball fundraising dinner. Many in the room read the remarks as a veiled dig at Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga. Chinamasa did not mention Chiwenga by name. Meanwhile, the dinner raised more than US$9 million, well above its US$6 million target.

Loyalty Takes Centre Stage

Chinamasa singled out Mohadi for praise during his address at the Hippodrome in Harare. He thanked the Vice-President directly for standing by the Head of State.

“To Comrade Vice President Kembo Mohadi, I say thank you for being loyal to the president,” Chinamasa said. He then stressed that loyalty matters for anyone in that office. “When you are a vice president, you must be loyal to your leader,” he added, before thanking Mohadi once more.

Why the Remarks Raised Eyebrows

The comments carried extra weight because of the party’s current tensions. Chiwenga is locked in a fierce succession battle with Mnangagwa. He was also the only member of the party’s presidium who did not attend the dinner.

As a result, observers quickly linked the praise for Mohadi to Chiwenga’s absence. However, Chinamasa never drew that connection himself. The interpretation comes from commentators and party watchers, not from the speaker.

Backdrop of a Party Under Strain

The dinner took place just a day after Zanu PF cancelled its politburo meeting. The cancellation followed a row over proposed amendments to the party constitution. Those amendments aim to align the party’s rules with the national Supreme Law.

Earlier in the week, Chiwenga also stayed away from the funeral of Zanu PF funder Wicknell Chivayo. Together, these events have fuelled speculation about a widening rift at the top of the ruling party.

A “Historic” Night for Zanu PF

Chinamasa introduced Mnangagwa as the guest of honour and called the occasion historic. He described the dinner as the first event of its kind in the party. According to him, it marks the start of a new tradition of partnership between Zanu PF and the corporate and business community.

He said guests had gathered with a clear purpose. The party wants to mobilise resources for the 23rd Zanu PF National People’s Conference in Chinhoyi. It also wants to strengthen its capacity to deliver programmes beyond the conference.

“Capital Is a Coward”

Chinamasa departed from his prepared notes to make a pitch on the economy. He argued that growth depends on unity, peace, continuity and stability. Capital, he said, is also essential.

“Capital is a coward,” Chinamasa told the gathering. He claimed that under Mnangagwa’s leadership, capital feels very safe. In his view, that explains why the ball was oversubscribed.

Appeal to the Business Community

Chinamasa also urged business leaders to back the ruling party. He said people can only make money in a political environment that encourages it. Therefore, he argued, businesses must support Zanu PF to maintain the political stability the country has enjoyed under the Second Republic.

He said the turnout showed the sector’s confidence in the President. He thanked guests for responding to the invitation. Then he reminded them that organisers had invited them to do more than share a meal. “I trust that by now everyone has understood their assignment,” he said.

Tribute to Mnangagwa as Chief Fundraiser

Chinamasa praised Mnangagwa as the party’s long-time chief fundraiser. He said the President has raised capital and resources for Zanu PF since 1980. He credited him with strengthening the party’s engagement with the corporate sector and opening Zimbabwe’s doors to business.

He also linked the President’s leadership to Vision 2030. He cited the philosophy “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo,” which stresses that building the country is a shared responsibility. In the same spirit, he said, members, supporters and partners must help resource the party.

Over US$9 Million Raised for the Chinhoyi Conference

Organisers set out to raise US$6 million for the Zanu National People’s Conference, which runs in Chinhoyi from 12 to 17 October. The amount raised has since passed US$9 million, exceeding the target by more than 50 percent. Philip Chiyangwa, chairman of the fundraising committee, led the effort.