Coup Alert, Mnangagwa Abandons UN Summit
By Political Reporter- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has pulled out of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in New York, citing security concerns and escalating power struggles within Zanu PF.
The president is under growing pressure from a faction aligned with his deputy, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, which is pushing for him to step down in 2028—a decision likely to be confirmed at the party’s October conference.
Mnangagwa, however, is rallying his supporters to block Chiwenga and extend his rule beyond the 2028 constitutional mandate.
His fear of travelling comes after his escaped death last Sunday when his military helicopter crashed in Masvingo.
His distrust also deepened after an unsettling incident Thursday involving a controversial birthday advert for Mnangagwa published by the Financial Gazette.
The advert mistakenly included “Rest in “Peace,” an editorial blunder that has raised suspicions of foul play within government ranks.
The Ministry of Defence expressed concerns that this error might be part of a calculated effort to escalate the ongoing power struggle between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga.
On Friday morning, reports say suspected military officers raided the home of Daily News editor Guthrie Munyuki, further intensifying speculation that the advert was not an accident but rather a deliberate attempt to undermine Mnangagwa.
The timing of the incident is significant, as tensions between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga have been simmering since the military-led ousting of Robert Mugabe in 2017.
Although initially allies, the relationship between the two men has soured, with Chiwenga feeling increasingly sidelined.
The advert has only added fuel to rumours that Chiwenga harbours ambitions to replace Mnangagwa, intensifying fears that their rivalry could fracture Zanu PF.
As both camps remain silent, the true motives behind the advert—and whether it was an editorial mistake or a political manoeuvre—remain unclear, but the incident has exposed a deepening rift within ZimbabweZimbabwe’ship.
