Zanu-PF youth boss insinuates that Chiwenga will lose against the opposition

Zanu-PF national deputy secretary for youth affairs and Gutu West legislator, John Paradza, has reaffirmed the party's commitment to ensuring President Emmerson Mnangagwa's rule continues without interruption, dismissing the potential for any opposition or changes in leadership. Paradza made these remarks during the party's Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) meeting in Clovely, Masvingo, where he emphasized the need for party unity and loyalty to the President.

Paradza stressed that no individual would be allowed to succeed Mnangagwa without his blessing, warning that the party would not tolerate attempts to disrupt the current leadership. He pointed to the recent political shifts in Southern Africa, where opposition parties have taken control of countries like Zambia and Botswana, as cautionary examples of what could happen if Zanu-PF and Mnangagwa's leadership were not safeguarded.

"If we voted for a President in 2023, we have to follow him until he willingly says he is stepping down. Do you think there is someone who would come and replace President Mnangagwa without getting his blessing first? How will that happen?" Paradza said.

He urged the party members to focus on strengthening Zanu-PF and maintaining discipline to prevent any divisions from arising, as seen in neighboring countries where revolutionary parties lost power to opposition forces. Paradza emphasized that the current leadership must remain steadfast to avoid such a fate in Zimbabwe.

Paradza further reinforced his loyalty to Mnangagwa, despite the President's stated intention to step down in 2028. He suggested that even after this date, the party would continue to push for the extension of Mnangagwa's presidency, dismissing any calls for a change in leadership before the President's term ends. Those who opposed this stance, Paradza warned, could face expulsion from the party.

"Everyone who is here is where he or she is because of someone, so what we are discussing here can be fulfilled while you are not there. If we see that you are no longer toeing the line we can sit aside and discuss then fire you," Paradza added.

The deputy secretary also reiterated his belief that Mnangagwa's leadership was divinely inspired, stating that his vision for Zimbabwe would continue to guide the country beyond 2028. "When we say 2030 he will be there we are talking about his vision because it's him who was shown the vision by God, so we want to follow him with his vision," Paradza declared.

The PCC meeting also saw Masvingo province reigniting the controversial slogan calling for Mnangagwa to serve beyond 2028, with the provincial chairperson, Robson Mavhenyengwa, declaring that Masvingo would continue to endorse the slogan. He dismissed claims that the slogan had been banned, insisting that all ten provinces had agreed to support Mnangagwa's continued leadership until 2030.

"We have a resolution that I have to share with you because it applies across board. I hear the 2030 resolution being distorted by some who have not understood it," Mavhenyengwa said. "All the 10 provincial chairpersons agreed to it. So I wonder when we come back here some are saying there is one resolution that was dismissed."

Minister of State Security and politburo member, Lovemore Matuke, also backed the slogan, stating that Masvingo would not be deterred from supporting Mnangagwa's third term. He insisted that the call for Mnangagwa's extension was based on the progress seen under his leadership, not personal loyalty or favoritism.

"Anyone can aspire to lead as long as he is not insane, so don't put a queue behind our President. If you don't want the slogan why are you talking about other names that we are hearing?" Matuke questioned.

The endorsement of the 2030 slogan comes amid reports of factional tensions within the province, particularly in Bikita District, where some members have reportedly thrown their support behind Vice President Constantino Chiwenga as a potential successor to Mnangagwa. Allegedly, a faction led by retired Major General Engelbert is backing Chiwenga, while Mavhenyengwa, who reportedly won his post with Chiwenga's support, is said to have shifted allegiance to Mnangagwa's camp.

The ongoing factionalism in the province adds complexity to the party's unity efforts, with loyalty to Mnangagwa's leadership and future succession plans continuing to dominate internal discussions.