The Zimbabwean Defence Forces commander General Constantine Chiwenga is on the brink of losing his job as revelations emerged that his contract for service is about to expire, amid indications that his employer, President Robert Mugabe will not renew it.
The expiry of the contract would give Mugabe a golden opportunity to remove Chiwenga, a strong ally of Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who is battling with First Lady Grace over the veteran leader’s succession.
At a meeting with war veterans in Harare yesterday, Mugabe publicly sought to make a case for the removal of Chiwenga when he announced that security chiefs, including Chiwenga, Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri and Prisons Commissioner-General Paradzai Zimondi, were now serving at his mercy after their original contracts expired.
Mugabe also said he had extended the terms of office of service chiefs after the formation of the unity government in 2009 to fight political battles, particularly the opposition MDC.
Military sources say should Mugabe decide not to extend Chiwenga’s contract, Zimbabwe National Army commander Lieutenant-General Philip Valerio Sibanda, could replace him although Air Force of Zimbabwe commander Air Marshal Perence Shiri is the preferred candidate on political considerations.
Sources say Mugabe, whose wife Grace is leading the G40 faction, is not happy that Chiwenga is meddling in Zanu PF succession wars siding with Mnangagwa.
The military’s involvement in politics has irked the First Lady so much that at a rally in Chiweshe in February, she openly accused military bosses of plotting to bomb her dairy in Mazowe. She also said the army was plotting to kill her last born son Bellarmine to instil fear in the First Family.
Asked to comment on Chiwenga’s contract status yesterday, Defence secretary Martin Rushwaya referred questions to the Defence Services Commission (DSC).
DSC secretary Pretty Sunguro could, however, not be reached for comment at the time of going to press.
- The Independent
0