By Munacho Gwamanda-President Emmerson Mnangagwa cut a lonely and troubled figure at the National Heroes Acre on Monday.

A rare, solemn expression replaced his usually composed demeanour—his face etched with deep lines of contemplation.

Draped in his trademark Zimbabwean flag scarf, he appeared distant, almost defeated.

Even the presence of his wife, Auxillia, standing elegantly by his side in a black dress, did little to mask the growing political turmoil engulfing him.

The escalating power struggle within Zanu PF was on full display as rival factions supporting Mnangagwa and his deputy, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, clashed openly at the burial of national hero Tinaye Chigudu.

The factions disrupted the solemn proceedings with antagonistic songs, each side praising its leader.

This latest confrontation mirrored a similar standoff two weeks ago at the burial of Justin Mupamhanga, when Chiwenga’s supporters publicly demonstrated their loyalty while he was acting President in Mnangagwa’s absence.

Mnangagwa’s controversial push for a third term is at the heart of this intensifying feud.

Initially expected to step down after his constitutionally mandated two terms, the 81-year-old leader has manoeuvred to extend his rule beyond 2028.

He has floated proposals for constitutional amendments or party endorsements to override term limits, which has sparked fierce resistance within Zanu PF.

Chiwenga, a former army general and the architect of the 2017 coup that ousted Robert Mugabe views himself as the rightful heir.

He insists on an alleged power-sharing agreement struck when he backed Mnangagwa’s rise, a deal the President has not intended to honour.

Instead, Mnangagwa has consolidated power within his inner circle, sidelining or eliminating military commanders aligned with Chiwenga.

This has fueled speculation of another coup in the making, with whispers of clandestine meetings and a divided military—some generals still loyal to Chiwenga, others firmly behind Mnangagwa.

The tension is now at a breaking point, and with loyalties in the security sector shifting unpredictably, Zimbabwe could once again be on the brink of political upheaval.