A HEATED debate has emerged within Zanu PF regarding a push to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term beyond 2028, party spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa revealed yesterday.
Mutsvangwa told journalists in Harare that Zanu PF was a democratic party where members are free to express their views.
Mnangagwa has consistently reiterated that he will step down in 2028 when his second and final term ends.
However, certain Zanu PF provinces and party organs have been advocating for an extended mandate for Mnangagwa, who assumed office in 2017 following the ouster of the late Robert Mugabe.
Last week, while addressing Zimbabweans in China, Mnangagwa reaffirmed his commitment to the constitution, stating that he is aware of the exact date he will leave office in 2028.
Despite this, the Zimbabwe Independent has learned that some provinces are lobbying for a resolution that would allow Mnangagwa to stay in power beyond 2028.
At recent rallies, officials have been chanting “ED2030”, a call for Mnangagwa to remain in office until at least that year.
Some party structures have also endorsed the idea of a term extension.
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“Our president is out to make sure that Zimbabwe gets its best possible deal for the development of the country,” Mutsvangwa said.
“And we will not smother robust debate within Zanu PF. Let people debate. We definitely cannot censure the people. We can't
do that because as I told you, Zanu PF is a democratic party.
“I think you can see the debate which is going on within the party, people vociferously expressing their views on different aspects of the party.”
Mutsvangwa said the party was focused on the upcoming annual conference to be held in Bulawayo in December.
“Right now, we are focused on organising the conference, but there is also a robust debate, which is going on about the performance of the party and the future direction with people expressing what they want the party to be,” he said.
“What we can assure you, are our democratic ethos; we never muzzle debate. We allow the free flow of the people’s views but at the end of the day the party will then take a considered view.
“The President and his political bureau will chart a way forward to ensure continuity to the party of prosperity. This is the footpath which we are following come the people’s party conference,” Mutsvangwa added.
Meanwhile, Zanu PF has fiercely defended itself against critics who accuse it of being a tightly-knit cartel of “criminals” looting public resources.
Opposition politician and former finance minister Tendai Biti recently launched a blistering attack on Zanu PF, branding it a “criminal organisation” that enables cartels responsible for widespread economic damage.
Mutsvangwa told the Independent on Wednesday that: “I am not going into futile polemics. They (critics) can present all their gripes as their election manifesto 2028. As a party, we go by people’s national plebiscites to arbitrate and dispense power.
“We are not swayed by sulky detractors who cannot stand in a voters’ contest," he added.
Biti alleged that: “Zanu PF is a criminal organisation; who-is-who of all criminals are found in Zanu PF.
“Cartels that are operating in Zimbabwe are found in Zanu PF. Those people who are mining in Zimbabwe are Zanu PF cronies. Zanu PF itself is crony.
“They are the criminals who are busy smuggling billions worth of goods at Beitbridge Border Post. The criminal organisation controlling the fuel industry is Zanu PF,” he added.
