A CONTENTIOUS bid to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa's term beyond 2028 is gaining momentum, with some Zanu PF structures actively seeking nationwide support for the plan, the Zimbabwe Independent heard this week.
The plot to stretch the President's constitutional tenure comes as factionalism simmers in Zanu PF, with Mnangagwa loyalists reportedly squaring up against those said to have coalesced around Vice President Constantino Chiwenga.
Mnangagwa's constitutionally-mandated tenure is supposed to end in 2028 at the completion of his second and final term in office.
Since Mnangagwa's victory at the 2023 polls against his closest rival, Nelson Chamisa, the then leader of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), whispers have grown among the President's loyalists to extend his term in office beyond the constitutional 2028.
Mnangagwa has publicly declared he has no intention of staying in office beyond the end of his second term.
However, a number of Zanu PF affiliates and structures, which were instrumental in campaigning for him, have openly endorsed the 2030 plot.
Last weekend, chairpersons from the party’s 10 provinces converged at the President's Precabe farm in Kwekwe, where they said they will continue to push for the extension of his term of office to 2030.
This followed another meeting a fortnight ago with representatives of the affiliates at the farm, where they took turns to chant the “ED 2030” slogan. That meeting, the Independent understands, was allegedly coordinated by Zanu PF national commissar Munyaradzi Machacha.
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Machacha assumed his influential post in May, after Mnangagwa demoted Mike Bimha as Zanu PF national commissar.
Zanu PF spokesperson Chris Mutsvangwa told the Independent this week affiliates’ plan to promote the 2030 agenda would involve advertising Mnangagwa's achievements since he assumed office in 2017.
“The party is preparing for the eventuality of implementing the 2030 resolution,” Mutsvangwa said.
“This entails mass awareness of the sterling record of President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa as a deliverer of rare calibre statesmanship.
“At the end of the day, the party membership works for, prays and hopes for resonance with the all-important electorate.”
The Zanu PF spokesperson said those opposed to extending Mnangagwa’s term wanted to treat him as a “lame-duck leader”.
In politics, a lame duck or outgoing politician is an elected official whose successor has already been elected or will soon be. An outgoing politician is often seen as wielding limited influence with other politicians due to their short time remaining in office.
“The party organs and mass structures are now mobilising to parry aside any distractions as he discharges his second term. They are keen to see much more of the development dividend.
“He will garner overwhelming membership support on merit and track record of performance and delivery. This is why his detractors are quaking.
“They are hankering to turn him into a lame duck leader through a foisted and premature anointment of an incompetent successor.”
Sources told the Independent that Zanu PF affiliates, which campaigned for Mnangagwa in 2023 were split on the plan to extend his term.
Those opposed to the plan are perceived to be rallying behind Chiwenga, who is the presumed front-runner to succeed Mnangagwa.
“While the affiliates were all supportive of Mnangagwa’s 2023 presidential campaign, they are now diametrically opposed on extending his term beyond 2028,” one source said.
“Those opposed to the plan are suggesting there is no need to force Mnangagwa to follow (the late Robert) Mugabe’s footsteps.
“Their argument is that Mugabe was removed because he wanted to rule indefinitely. Those promoting the 2030 plot are making the same mistake.
“Some affiliates opposed to the plan are very clear that those who harbour presidential ambitions must freely express their intention at the next elective congress.”
Zanu PF is supposed to hold an elective congress in 2027 ahead of the harmonised elections scheduled for 2028.
The unfolding push to extend his term against his will comes after Zanu PF resolved at its annual conference held this year to extend his term to 2030.
Most Zanu PF provinces endorsed the resolution.
Zanu PF’s Harare provincial chairperson Goodwills Masimirembwa told the Independent the ruling party was now awaiting amendment of the requisite constitutional provisions necessary to kick-start the process.
“Implementation of National Conference resolutions is done by Zanu PF national leadership, not by provinces. Harare Province adopted the 2030 resolution together with other provinces. Nothing has changed,” he said.
“We remain in full support and look forward to the amendment of the constitution or passing of other legal instruments to enable His Excellency Dr E D Mnangagwa to continue serving as State President beyond 2028.
“Zanu PF provinces are not in the business of thinking about other candidates during the term of an incumbent. Our total and undivided loyalty is to His Excellency Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa,” he said.
Mnangagwa is constrained from serving beyond the permissible constitutional two five-year terms.
Even if the constitution is amended, there are provisions which hinder the incumbent from benefitting. These require a referendum to be amended if Mnangagwa is to stay in office beyond 2028.
Chiwenga, who has never been seen in public chanting the ED 2030 slogan, is said to be against amending the constitution to extend Mnangagwa’s term.
Sources also allege that he wants Mnangagwa to anoint him successor ahead of the 2027 Zanu PF elective congress.
