Brigadier General (Retired) Ezekiel Zabanyana has been dismissed from his position as Director General of ZANU-PF amid ongoing internal party turmoil and factional conflicts. Reports indicate the firing occurred recently, possibly triggered by his refusal to accredit certain party members or “cronies” for an upcoming conference, which exposed deeper power struggles within the ruling party.

This development aligns with broader reshuffles and defiance in ZANU-PF leadership, including the demotion of Secretary-General Obert Mpofu and the emergence of dual claimants to that role, but Zabanyana’s ouster specifically highlights administrative tensions at the party’s headquarters.

Career & Military Service

  • 1999: Served as a Lieutenant Colonel and Defense Advisor at the Zimbabwean High Commission in London, where he commented on military policy regarding landmines.
  • Prior to 2022: Retired from the Zimbabwe National Army with the rank of Brigadier General.
  • Post-retirement: Transitioned into political analysis and advocacy, focusing on issues related to war veterans and party nomenclature. He was a senior member and loyal cadre of ZANU-PF.

Director General of ZANU-PF

  • Early 2023: Appointed as the Director General of ZANU-PF, replacing Dickson Dzora. The appointment was announced by ZANU-PF Secretary General Dr. Obert Mpofu.
  • Early 2025: As Director General, Zabanyana was still leading monthly clean-up exercises at the party headquarters, aligning with national environmental awareness efforts.
  • May 2024: Official ZANU-PF news sources report on Zabanyana’s role as Director General, quoting him on the importance of environmental efforts.

Internal Party Turmoil and Dismissal

  • As of early October 2025: Brigadier General (Retired) Ezekiel Zabanyana has been dismissed from his position as Director General of ZANU-PF.
  • Reason for dismissal: Reports indicate the firing may have been triggered by his refusal to accredit certain party members or “cronies” for an upcoming conference.
  • Context of dismissal: This event is part of a broader period of internal party turmoil and factional conflicts within ZANU-PF, which also includes the reported demotion of Secretary-General Obert Mpofu.
  • Current status: As of early October 2025, there are no indications of his reinstatement. Social media discussions speculate the dismissal was an act of retaliation against his perceived anti-corruption stance.

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