In an effort to seemingly contain the factional pressures rocking the ruling Zanu-PF party over succession plans, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has continued to reassure the people of Zimbabwe that he will not stay in power beyond the constitutionally mandated two-term limit.
While a section of Zanu-PF supporters is calling for an extension of their leader’s term of office beyond 2028, Mnangagwa has repeatedly assured the public that, as a constitutionalist, he will respect the constitution by stepping down when his second term ends.
Speaking to the diaspora community in China this week, Mnangagwa said he knows the date when his last term will end.
“This question of having a third term does not arise, especially under my watch. No. I am in my second term, and I already know the date I am stepping down. In 2028, I’m going home, and others will take over,” he said.
Cde ED Mnangagwa said it’s a lie that he will extend his term‼️
“This question of having a third term does not arise, especially under my watch. No. I am in my second term and I already know the date I am stepping down. In 2028 I’m going home, and others will take over.” pic.twitter.com/QXudanJcNk
— 🇿🇼 ZANU PF PATRIOTS 🇿🇼 (@zanupf_patriots) September 2, 2024
Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who is widely regarded as a leading contender to succeed Mnangagwa, is reportedly opposed to any plans to amend the constitution in order to extend his boss’s term of office.
Chiwenga has repeatedly refused to chant the 2030 slogan, which advocates for Mnangagwa’s continued stay in power until 2030. He recently slammed some members, warning them against personalising the party.
His sentiments are viewed as a direct challenge to Mnangagwa.
“There is no room for factionalism at any level in the party,” he said.
“A party cannot be undermined by being defined in the confines of individuals. I repeat, no factionalism in the party, we are one and shall remain one, hapana kuti uyu ndinomuda uyu handimude, tiri tese ka?
“Our loyalty is not to individuals but to the bigger agenda which is larger than us, that of the party and the people of Zimbabwe who are supreme, it is the party, it is the people of Zimbabwe who are supreme not inini saChiwenga, I will come and go.”
The sincerity of Mnangagwa’s sentiments is being doubted by many due to his failure to rein in his supporters who continue to chant the controversial slogan, ‘2030 vaMnangagwa vanenge vachipo’.
Zanu-PF Harare provincial chairperson Godwills Masimirembwa, last week, said that the province had resolved that the constitution should be amended for Mnangagwa to stay.
“The most pressing issue is that the Constitution of Zimbabwe needs to be amended to allow him to remain in power beyond 2028. We are aware of the constitutional restrictions; it currently states that the President can serve a maximum of two terms, each lasting five years,” Masimirembwa said.
“There is a possibility of either extending the duration of each term, increasing the term limit from two terms to three or removing the term limit entirely.”
Tshinga Dube, a senior Zanu-PF Politburo member, recently labeled as “selfish and premature,” calls for Mnangagwa to extend his term. He added that the President must protect his legacy by respecting the Constitution.
“We must be careful with the advice that we give to the President so that it does not benefit individuals only because we want his legacy to remain; these things can destroy his legacy after working so hard as a minister, surviving hangman’s noose and at the end of the day his legacy is destroyed like that,” he said.
