Mnangagwa Nephew Pearson Mbalekwa Expelled From ZANU-PF Amid Constitutional Amendment Dispute

HARARE, Zimbabwe – Former Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) officer Pearson Mbalekwa, a nephew of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, has reportedly been expelled from ZANU-PF following internal disagreements linked to controversial proposals to amend Zimbabwe's Constitution.

According to reports from Nehanda Radio, Mbalekwa allegedly fell out with influential figures within the ruling party after repeatedly refusing to support constitutional changes championed by the President's allies. Sources cited by the publication claim that the disciplinary process was spearheaded by Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, who also serves as ZANU-PF Secretary for Legal Affairs.

Reports indicate that a ZANU-PF Provincial Disciplinary Committee appointed by senior party officials, July Moyo and Owen Ncube, recommended Mbalekwa's expulsion from the party. In a disciplinary letter reportedly seen by Nehanda Radio, the committee accused Mbalekwa of failing to uphold the province's "ethos, principles, conduct and aspirations." The disciplinary hearing was chaired by Lewis Matutu, with committee members including Maud Ngwenya, Cornelius Mupereri, Mazivazvose, and Maxwell Mataranyika.

Party sources quoted in the report believe the disciplinary charges were linked to Mbalekwa's alleged refusal to support the controversial "2030 VaMnangagwa vanenge vachitonga" campaign. The campaign advocates for President Mnangagwa to remain in office beyond the current constitutional term limits, a proposal that has generated significant debate within Zimbabwe's political landscape. Critics argue that any attempt to extend presidential tenure would require constitutional amendments and could undermine democratic governance principles, while supporters maintain that continuity of leadership is necessary to sustain development programmes.

According to the report, Mbalekwa's expulsion has already been endorsed by the ZANU-PF Politburo, the ruling party's highest decision-making body between congresses. However, neither ZANU-PF nor Mbalekwa had publicly commented on the reported expulsion at the time of publication.

The reported expulsion comes amid ongoing national debate surrounding proposed constitutional amendments and succession politics within ZANU-PF. Political analysts say divisions over the future leadership of the ruling party and discussions around presidential term limits have increasingly become a source of internal tension.

Mbalekwa, who was previously regarded as one of President Mnangagwa's trusted security allies, is reportedly said to have privately distanced himself from developments within the party, with sources claiming he had expressed concern over what he viewed as troubling internal trends. If confirmed, his expulsion would mark a significant development within ZANU-PF, given both his family connection to the President and his previous association with the country's security establishment.

Pearson Mbalekwa expelled from ZANU-PF