FACTIONAL fights in the ruling Zanu PF party have reportedly taken a new twist amid reports that individuals masquerading as State security agents are targeting members and leaders opposed to the 2030 agenda.
The ruling party is battling divisions over the extension of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s tenure beyond 2028 being agitated for by a section of its supporters in contravention of the Constitution which stipulates two five-year terms.
Mnangagwa has, however, insisted that he will leave office in 2028 when his term of office ends indicating that he wants to rest.
It has since emerged that some members of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) have decided not to take part in the push, indicating that they are waiting for guidance from Mnangagwa.
ZNLWVA recently held a meeting in Victoria Falls, where members indicated that they will not participate in the spate over Mnangagwa’s succession.
According to sources, who spoke to NewsDay this week, the national executive members were in agreement that ZNLWVA is losing focus on its mandate of pushing for the welfare of the veterans of the liberation struggle.
“The meeting was heated, but all the members who attended the meeting agreed that the succession battles in Zanu PF, including the 2030 agenda, was a sideshow and the executive should work on the welfare of members,” the sources said.
They, however, revealed that the stance taken by members of ZNLWVA national executive has not gone down well with some Zanu PF functionaries, who have targeted outspoken leaders in the association.
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The sources also indicated that ZNLWVA national secretary-general Sam Parerenyatwa has allegedly been a victim of targeted attacks, losing mining and farming equipment after the alleged functionaries targeted his farm in Centenary and mining venture in Guruve in Mashonaland Central province.
Parerenyatwa was the first ZNLWVA leader to refuse to chant the “ED2030” slogan at its inception when asked to do so by the provincial leadership during an inter-district rally in Bindura.
There are also reports that there are fears within the provincial leadership that Parerenyatwa may influence other war veterans, given his post as the national secretary-general.
The veterans of the liberation struggle retain an influential position in the revolutionary Zanu PF party, which played a huge part in the war for independence until 1980.
Sources told NewsDay that Parerenyatwa, his son and their late partner Alexander Chiwara ran a mining venture in Guruve, which has been targeted for attacks by people claiming to be taking orders from “high offices”.
“The general feeling is that the culprits are being protected by the police,” the sources said.
“In fact, the fact that police failed to arrest people for abusing the name of the President or impersonation of the President’s Department when there is ample evidence gives credence to the claim that, indeed, they are security agents involved in the harassment of opponents.”
However, national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the law enforcement agents in Guruve had no records showing that the war veterans leader is legally involved in mining activities in the area.
He, however, acknowledged that Parerenyatwa reported cases of trespassing at his farm and urged him to approach the police with more information.
Contacted, Parerenyatwa yesterday said he was not in a position to comment on the issues.
But NewsDay is reliably informed that Parerenyatwa has been a victim of three attacks targeting the mining venture in Guruve and his farm in Concession.
In one of the attacks on July 19 this year, at least 13 suspected assailants reportedly descended on the mine in Guruve and attacked workers.
“The workers sought refuge at the ZRP station in Guruve, where the police refused to entertain them after indicating that the station was under instruction not to entertain them,” the sources said.
In Guruve, the sources said, mining equipment was vandalised while part of it was stolen and is reportedly being kept at a police station in Guruve.
Chiwara, who was arrested and reportedly spent some time behind bars, died last month, with his family associating his death to the work of the police while he was in custody.
The sources also told NewsDay that a group claiming to be from the Office of the President led by two individuals (names supplied) attacked Parerenyatwa’s farm and occupied part of it.
“They mobilised youths from the area who assaulted his workers while some of his farming equipment was destroyed in the attack,” the sources said.
“Another group also targeted Parerenyatwa’s chrome mining venture and stopped operations and he is under threat of losing the project.”
The sources said they were surprised that no arrests had been made when most of the group's leaders had been identified during the attacks.
Meanwhile, dismissing the reports, Nyathi told NewsDay that people in Chiwara village arrested Chiwara for illegally carrying out mining activities and confiscated his equipment and brought the exhibits and suspect to police.
“Ema [Environmental Management Agency] officials were called in. They confirmed that Alexander Chiwara had no environmental impact assessment certificate to conduct mining activities. He was taken to court and remanded to September 1, 2025.
“Alexander Chiwara died on August 30, 2025, at Mvurwi Hospital due to BP-related complications, according to a post-mortem report. Alexander Chiwara’s colleague, known as Bhebhe, made a report on the alleged assault of mine workers after the initial arrest and appearance in court of Chiwara.
“The ZRP has since arrested Tirivangani Chiwara and another suspect in connection with the report. The docket has since been submitted to the National Prosecuting Authority for set down. The ZRP is still looking for other suspects in this late report.”
Nyathi said the police did not have a report on people alleged to be from the President’s Office.
“There is no complicity on the part of police as concerned villagers challenged Alexander Chiwara on land degradation, society safety and security due to his mining activities,” he said.
“They went on to arrest him and took his equipment to police. The Zimbabwe Republic Police duly called Ema to do its work in line with the country’s laws. Sam Parerenyatwa has reported cases of trespassing at his farm by illegal settlers to the police.”
Nyathi said the police had since arrested the settlers and referred the docket to the National Prosecuting Authority for consideration.
“It is also important to note that issues to do with land are resolved by the responsible ministry, while the Zimbabwe Republic Police is there to enforce the law,” he said.
“The police is also aware of villagers and some war veterans who are challenging the size of Parerenyatwa’s farm and claim that he is not fully utilising it.
“Above all, the Zimbabwe Republic Police is not fully aware of the involvement of Parerenyatwa in mining activities unless proven otherwise.”
