President Emmerson Mnangagwa reportedly told retired generals and former senior civil servants that “whoever wins, wins” during meetings over the controversial Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3), in remarks that are likely to deepen perceptions of a growing succession struggle within the ruling party.
The remarks were contained in a press statement issued on June 2 by retired Air Marshal Henry Muchena on behalf of retired generals and former senior civil servants, following engagements with Mnangagwa on May 18 and 19 over the proposed constitutional amendments.
The group said they had warned Mnangagwa about the dangers posed by CAB3, including what they described as the alienation of citizens from the constitutional order and divisions within Zanu-PF. According to the statement, Mnangagwa responded by saying: “whoever wins, wins.”
“When we placed before the President our caution regarding the dangers of this constitutional amendment chief among them, the alienation of the citizenry from the constitutional order and eventual alienation of our membership in Zanu-PF, his response was, in his own words, ‘whoever wins, wins.’
“That response speaks for itself. It lays bare the contempt with which the constitutional concerns of citizens and members of our party are regarded at the highest level of executive authority,” Muchena stated.
The comments are expected to fuel speculation of an intensifying battle over succession within Zanu-PF, where Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has widely been viewed by political observers and sections within the party as a frontrunner to eventually succeed Mnangagwa.
Mnangagwa has repeatedly said publicly that he intends to leave office at the end of his current term in 2028, but opponents of the amendments argue the process is designed to consolidate political power.
In their statement, the retired military officers and former civil servants accused Mnangagwa of being “the principal architect and principal beneficiary” of CAB3. They further alleged that businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei was financially sustaining the constitutional amendment process, claiming he believed he would become a “secondary beneficiary” of the proposed changes.
The group also claimed the consultative process around CAB3 had been manipulated and did not reflect the genuine views of Zimbabweans. They alleged citizens were pressured into signing letters supporting the bill while opposing voices were excluded from media coverage.
The Bill, expected to be tabled in Parliament this week, seeks sweeping changes to Zimbabwe’s Constitution. Among the proposed amendments are extending presidential and parliamentary terms from five to seven years, delaying the 2028 harmonised elections to 2030, and replacing the direct election of the President by voters with a parliamentary selection process.
Should the proposals pass, Mnangagwa’s current second and constitutionally final term would be extended by an additional two years, allowing him to remain in office until 2030.
The retired generals have renewed calls for a national referendum on the proposed constitutional amendments, arguing that such significant changes should be subjected directly to the will of the people.
They further revealed that constitutional challenges against CAB3 had already been filed before the Constitutional Court on May 20. They said they hoped the judiciary would independently assess the legality of the amendments without political interference.
In addition, the group accused unnamed political actors of attempting to influence legislators through financial inducements. They alleged provincial party chairpersons received vehicles and payments of US$100,000 to support CAB3, while MPs were allegedly earmarked to receive US$50,000 each in exchange for backing the bill.
The statement also criticised Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi over remarks regarding whipping Zanu-PF MPs to support the amendments, arguing legislators should instead be accountable to voters.
The retired generals and former senior civil servants warned MPs and senators against supporting what they described as an unconstitutional extension of presidential and parliamentary terms, saying Zimbabweans would remember those who “chose personal enrichment over constitutional duty.”
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