By Staff Reporter
Deep divisions within ZANU PF were laid bare at Wicknell Chivayo’s funeral, as Vice President Constantino Chiwenga noticeably stayed away while President Emmerson Mnangagwa turned the event into a display of loyalty to his embattled ally.
On Friday night, ministers and ZANU PF loyalists flocked to Gletwin Mansion to mourn Chivayo, his wife Lulu Muteke-Chivayo, her aide Sanelisiwe Magagula, and pilots Calvin Tarifei Soda and Courage Mutavira, all victims of the recent Marondera helicopter crash.
Mnangagwa, highlighting his close ties to the controversial businessman, publicly declared Chivayo as his friend, drawing attention to the personalisation of state tenders. However, the conspicuous absence of Vice Presidents Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi fueled speculation of underlying tensions.
Chiwenga’s no-show was widely interpreted as a silent protest. His relationship with Chivayo was marked by open political clashes and mutual accusations of corruption.
Chiwenga had previously included Chivayo’s name in a corruption dossier presented to the ZANU PF politburo, prompting Chivayo to retaliate by calling him a “failed politician” on social media.
While Mnangagwa used the funeral to solidify his alliance with Chivayo, Chiwenga’s absence sent a powerful message against celebrating a figure whose wealth symbolized the regime’s flaws.
The funeral thus became not only a moment of mourning but a public display of the serious rifts destabilizing ZANU PF’s leadership.
