ZANU PFs Midlands province says there is no going back on plans to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term of office despite him saying that he will step down in 2028.
The ruling party held its annual conference in Bulawayo a fortnight ago, and adopted a resolution to extend Mnangagwa’s term to 2030, which re-ignited serious infighting within the former liberation movement.
A vocal proponent of the 2030 and Zanu PF chairperson for Midlands, Edson Chiherenge, said there was no going back on the presidential term extension.
“We want him to continue to rule,” Chiherenge said at a meeting held in Kwekwe last week.
“We went to a conference to endorse our resolution as Midlands province that Mnangagwa should extend his term till 2030... 2030 belongs to Emmerson Mnangagwa.”
Chiherenge was on a whirlwind provincial tour to drum up support for the 2030 agenda.
Mnangagwa has repeatedly said that he does not intend to extend his presidency beyond 2028 when he will be 86 years old.
His deputy, Constantino Chiwenga, who is said to be a front runner to succeed the 82 year-old ruler has never publicly backed the 2030 agenda.
Political analysts raised questions about Mnangagwa’s intentions amid mixed signals over the 2030 agenda.
Political analyst Vivid Gwede said Mnangagwa’s supporters were motivated by self-interest and the benefits they receive under his leadership.
“Many people have benefited from Mnangagwa’s rule and fear his exit because they will lose positions and opportunities to enrich themselves,” Gwede said.
“Remember the ruling party system is built on patronage.
“So even if Mnangagwa meant his word, there would still be these voices trying to convince him to stay.”
Another political analyst, Maxwell Saungweme, described Mnangagwa’s actions as ‘calculated political manoeuver.’
Saungweme said Mnangagwa’s actions exemplified ‘strategic ambiguity’ where leaders publicly declare an intention not to seek re-election while quietly supporting efforts to extend their time in office.
“This tactic aligns with game theory and rational choice theory, which suggest that political actors make calculated moves to maximise their power and maintain office longevity, despite public statements suggesting otherwise,” he said.
“From a political survival theory perspective, leaders are incentivised to maintain power by managing public sentiment and elite alliances carefully.
“By claiming that he won’t pursue another term, Mnangagwa may be attempting to soften criticism or avoid backlash associated with prolonged rule, which could otherwise appear undemocratic.”
He added: “This approach helps craft an image of selfless dedication to Zimbabwe, building goodwill and reducing opposition.”
Political commentator Ruben Mbofana said Mnangagwa’s past actions suggest a pattern of deceit.
“There is no way those Mnangagwa’s supporters make noise for him to stay in power without the blessing of their patron who is Mnangagwa,” he said.
“This is mostly seen in Midlands and Masvingo provinces where they are pushing for this 2030 agenda.
“If Mnangagwa was really sincere and telling the truth that he does not want to extend his term; he would have silenced his supporters from day one.
“We would not be hearing all this ED 2030 slogan.”
Zanu PF director for information Farai Marapira told The Standard that ruling party members were still waiting for the way forward after the adoption of the 2030 resolution.
“The 2030 resolution was adopted at the conference; we are still waiting on how the party will deal with the resolutions in light of the President’s words,” Marapira said.
“We respect democracy and the structures are allowed to speak their mind, so that’s the democracy of Zanu PF.”
Mngangagwa, on three occasions this year, stated that he would retire when his term ends in 2028.