By Staff Reporter

Copyright thezimbabwemail

HARARE – Armoured vehicles and troop carriers were seen rumbling into Harare on Tuesday afternoon, raising fresh fears of a coup in a country where the scars of the 2017 military takeover are still raw.

The unexplained deployment comes as ZANU PF tears itself apart in a vicious succession battle, leaving ordinary Zimbabweans once again caught in the crossfire of elite power struggles.

Eyewitnesses reported heavy convoys stationed near government buildings and on key city routes, with soldiers adopting an unusually visible presence. Neither the government nor the army provided an explanation, fuelling speculation that the ruling party’s internal warfare has spilled onto the streets.

At the heart of the turmoil lies the bitter rivalry between President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his deputy, Constantino Chiwenga. Once allies in the 2017 coup that toppled Robert Mugabe, the two men are now locked in a cold war over who will control the party and the presidency beyond 2028. Mnangagwa has clung to power through patronage networks, corruption, and promises of Chinese-backed investment, while Chiwenga, the former army general, continues to command loyalty from sections of the military and security establishment.

Analysts say the sudden movement of heavy armour cannot be divorced from this escalating factional war. “This is not routine — it’s a show of force,” political analyst Dr. Sipho Mlambo said. “ZANU PF is paralysed by succession politics, and both factions are trying to use the military to intimidate each other, while the public pays the price.”

Opposition voices warn that the ruling elite’s obsession with clinging to power has left the country drifting. Zimbabwe is already facing runaway inflation, collapsing services, and crippling unemployment, yet the governing party remains consumed by factional infighting. Instead of prioritising governance, Mnangagwa and Chiwenga are accused of trading blows over access to state resources, mining contracts, and foreign patronage.

For citizens, the military’s ominous presence revived memories of 2017, when tanks rolled into Harare to depose Mugabe under the guise of “restoring order.” Many fear history could repeat itself. Shops in the CBD closed early on Tuesday, and residents shared anxious rumours online of an imminent coup.

“The tragedy of Zimbabwe is that the gun is still in control,” opposition MP Tendai Biti told reporters. “Civilians are spectators while politicians and generals fight for power. Once again, the people will suffer.”

ZANU PF officials moved quickly to downplay fears, insisting the military’s activities were part of “routine security measures.” But with a party at war with itself, a collapsing economy, and an increasingly restless population, few are reassured.

For now, Harare remains tense. Tanks may yet roll back into barracks — but the political crisis within ZANU PF shows no signs of retreat.