Chiwenga Calls 2017 Takeover a Coup

Constantino Chiwenga has, for the first time, described the 2017 removal of Robert Mugabe as a coup in a confidential report dated September 17, 2025. Addressing Zanu-PF leaders, he said the military took “a bold and necessary step” to remove Mugabe. This contrasts with earlier military statements that described the operation as a “military-assisted transition.” The disclosure comes ahead of the party’s annual conference.