By Regina Pasipanodya in Mutare, Manicaland Province In a moment filled with historical significance and political urgency, Vice President and Second Secretary of ZANU PF, Rtd Gen. Dr. Constantino Chiwenga, delivered a strong message against corruption and institutional decline during the official opening of the party’s 22nd National People’s Conference in Mutare. Standing before party delegates, war veterans, and youth representatives, Chiwenga drew on the moral authority of Zimbabwe’s liberation heroes: “The fallen are watching us. Their blood demands integrity. Their voices cry out against corruption, laziness, and decay.” This statement, rich with patriotic meaning, was a direct challenge to the party’s leadership and culture. This comes after Chiwenga’s bold actions, including presenting a corruption report to the Politburo that reportedly names several high-profile businessmen connected to President Emmerson Mnangagwa. A Battle Within the Presidium Chiwenga’s anti-corruption effort has stirred internal conflict. Recently, party spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa accused the Vice President of “turning the presidium into a kangaroo court.” He suggested that Chiwenga’s call for accountability might be linked to succession politics. The report, which urges the arrest of individuals allegedly stealing millions from state funds, has widened the rifts within ZANU PF and raised doubts about the party’s commitment to change. Political analysts see Chiwenga’s position as a double-edged sword—both a principled effort against corruption and a strategic move in a shaky succession battle. His focus on “zero tolerance for tender manipulation and corrupt practices” hints at a larger institutional reckoning, especially as Zimbabwe faces service delivery issues and public distrust. Legacy, Reform, and the Road Ahead By bringing up the sacrifices of liberation heroes, Chiwenga presents corruption not just as a legal or economic problem, but as a betrayal of national identity and responsibility. His speech in Mutare acts as a call for ethical leadership and discipline within ZANU PF, a party often criticized for protecting elites from accountability. Whether this represents a real turning point or just a strategic move in party rivalry is still uncertain. But one thing is clear. Vice President Chiwenga’s voice is no longer limited to military precision—it now resonates within the realm of political reform, insisting that ZANU PF address its own contradictions. Our theme this year, “Attainment of Vision 2030 Through Economic Empowerment and Value Addition,” captures the main task we face. He emphasized that this task involves creating a people-centered economy that empowers every Zimbabwean and ensures that our national wealth benefits all, not just a privileged few. “Economic empowerment must be genuine—equipping all our people with the means to produce, innovate, and control their own futures . That is the essence of Vision 2030, and that is the essence of revolutionary continuity,” said Vice President Chiwenga. Post navigation Ambassador Almassri Calls for Continued Solidarity with Gaza Victims Unity in the Tent, Tension in the Presidium?: Muchinguri-Kashiri’s Rallying Cry Amid Perceived ZANU PF’s Internal Fractures