Zimbabwe’s political landscape is once again marred by intrigue, with allegations of poisoning, coup plots, and intense factional infighting dominating the headlines. At the heart of this turmoil are President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his deputy, General Constantino Chiwenga, whose long-simmering rivalry has spilled into the public domain, leaving the ruling Zanu-PF party on edge and the nation watching with bated breath. For months, rumours of mysterious deaths among senior security officials and alleged purges aimed at weakening General Chiwenga’s military base have fuelled speculation about a power struggle within the highest echelons of the Zimbabwean state.
The most sensational of these allegations centres on General Anselem Sanyatwe, the former Head of the Defence Forces and current Sports Minister. It is claimed that he was the victim of a poisoning plot orchestrated by Kudakwashe “Queen Bee” Tagwirei, a petroleum tycoon and close ally of President Mnangagwa. Instead, sources close to the Sports Minister insist that his trip abroad was for ongoing medical care.
One insider stated: “He has been unwell for some time. His deployment back from Tanzania and later his removal from the army were linked to his health… When he became Sports Minister, his condition worsened. He spent two months in India for treatment… The rumours that he was poisoned in Nyanga are not true.” The source added that it was “sad to see his health being used for cheap politicking.” However, in Zimbabwean politics, perception often outweighs facts.
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Poison stories have long been a part of the political playbook, serving to terrify, discredit, and fracture alliances. For General Chiwenga’s camp, the Sanyatwe narrative paints President Mnangagwa’s inner circle as ruthless power-seekers. Conversely, Mnangagwa’s loyalists view it as a manufactured smear designed to sow discord between the President and the military.
The rumours also target Kudakwashe Tagwirei himself. Long considered President Mnangagwa’s financier, Tagwirei was formally inducted into the Zanu-PF Central Committee in August 2025, solidifying his transition from a behind-the-scenes figure to an open political player. This sudden rise has unsettled Zanu-PF’s war veterans and the military elite, who view Tagwirei as a civilian outsider with money but lacking liberation credentials.
They fear that Mnangagwa could be grooming him as a successor or, at the very least, a kingmaker. For General Chiwenga, who has long believed the presidency is his birthright, Tagwirei’s ascent poses a direct challenge. Against this backdrop, the poisoning allegations serve a purpose.
They are less about proving what happened to General Sanyatwe and more about portraying Tagwirei and President Mnangagwa as untrustworthy usurpers willing to turn on allies to secure power. Adding fuel to the fire is Blessed Runesu Geza, also known as “Bombshell” Geza. A war veteran turned YouTuber, Geza has reinvented himself as a digital provocateur.
He openly backs General Chiwenga while branding President Mnangagwa as corrupt, illegitimate, and destined to be toppled by a coup. Geza’s YouTube rants, laced with military nostalgia and coup fantasies, have transformed Zanu-PF’s succession fight into a digital street brawl. He portrays the army as Zimbabwe’s only salvation and Mnangagwa as a usurper, hinting openly that only a military takeover can restore order.
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