News / National
Zanu-PF factional tensions escalate
06 Dec 2024 at 18:13hrs | Views
A contentious push to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa's term beyond 2028 is rapidly gaining momentum, as factions within Zanu-PF rally around the idea, despite the President's public stance against it. The push comes amid rising factionalism within the ruling party, with Mnangagwa loyalists clashing with supporters of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who is seen as a key potential successor.
Mnangagwa's current constitutional mandate is set to expire in 2028, marking the end of his second and final term. However, since his victory over Nelson Chamisa in the 2023 elections, a growing number of Zanu-PF structures have started advocating for an extension of his presidency beyond the stipulated period.
Although Mnangagwa himself has consistently stated he has no intention of staying in power beyond 2028, the campaign to extend his tenure has been embraced by key Zanu-PF affiliates, with some party chairpersons actively promoting the idea.
This week, chairpersons from Zanu-PF's 10 provincial branches gathered at the President's Precabe farm in Kwekwe, where they declared their unwavering support for extending Mnangagwa's term until 2030. The endorsement follows a similar meeting two weeks ago, where the "ED 2030" slogan was chanted, signaling strong backing for the controversial proposal. Zanu-PF national commissar Munyaradzi Machacha is said to have coordinated the meetings.
Zanu-PF spokesperson Chris Mutsvangwa confirmed the party's commitment to the 2030 agenda, emphasizing that the initiative would focus on publicizing Mnangagwa's achievements since assuming office in 2017. "We are preparing for the eventuality of implementing the 2030 resolution," Mutsvangwa said. "The party membership works for, prays, and hopes for resonance with the all-important electorate."
However, the proposal to extend Mnangagwa's presidency has not been universally welcomed within Zanu-PF. Sources within the party revealed that there is a significant faction opposed to the idea, with many rallying behind Vice President Chiwenga as the logical successor. Those against the extension argue that it mirrors the missteps of former President Robert Mugabe, who was ousted after attempting to rule indefinitely. They caution that pushing for an extension could damage the party's image and alienate potential supporters.
Zanu-PF's 2023 presidential campaign unity is now at risk, as the factions split on the issue of the 2030 extension. Some argue that Mnangagwa's term should end as prescribed by the constitution, and any attempt to amend it would undermine democratic principles. "There is no need to force Mnangagwa to follow Mugabe's footsteps," one source close to the opposition faction said. "Let those with ambitions for the presidency express them at the next congress."
The push for constitutional amendments to extend Mnangagwa's term has already been discussed at the party's annual conference, where most provinces voted in favor of the 2030 resolution. Zanu-PF's Harare provincial chairperson, Goodwills Masimirembwa, confirmed the party's full support for the plan, stating that they were now awaiting the necessary constitutional amendments or legal instruments to allow the extension. "Our total and undivided loyalty is to His Excellency Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa," he said.
However, even if the constitution is amended, the process would require a national referendum to pass, and Mnangagwa's tenure extension would still face significant legal and constitutional hurdles. Moreover, Vice President Chiwenga, who has largely avoided publicly supporting the "ED 2030" slogan, is reportedly against the move, preferring to position himself as Mnangagwa's successor in the 2027 Zanu-PF elective congress.
As the battle over Mnangagwa's future continues to unfold, Zanu-PF faces mounting internal pressure, with factionalism threatening to undermine the party's unity ahead of the 2028 elections. The growing debate on the President's term extension reflects the complex political dynamics at play within Zimbabwe's ruling party, where the race for leadership succession could reshape the country's political landscape.
Mnangagwa's current constitutional mandate is set to expire in 2028, marking the end of his second and final term. However, since his victory over Nelson Chamisa in the 2023 elections, a growing number of Zanu-PF structures have started advocating for an extension of his presidency beyond the stipulated period.
Although Mnangagwa himself has consistently stated he has no intention of staying in power beyond 2028, the campaign to extend his tenure has been embraced by key Zanu-PF affiliates, with some party chairpersons actively promoting the idea.
This week, chairpersons from Zanu-PF's 10 provincial branches gathered at the President's Precabe farm in Kwekwe, where they declared their unwavering support for extending Mnangagwa's term until 2030. The endorsement follows a similar meeting two weeks ago, where the "ED 2030" slogan was chanted, signaling strong backing for the controversial proposal. Zanu-PF national commissar Munyaradzi Machacha is said to have coordinated the meetings.
Zanu-PF spokesperson Chris Mutsvangwa confirmed the party's commitment to the 2030 agenda, emphasizing that the initiative would focus on publicizing Mnangagwa's achievements since assuming office in 2017. "We are preparing for the eventuality of implementing the 2030 resolution," Mutsvangwa said. "The party membership works for, prays, and hopes for resonance with the all-important electorate."
However, the proposal to extend Mnangagwa's presidency has not been universally welcomed within Zanu-PF. Sources within the party revealed that there is a significant faction opposed to the idea, with many rallying behind Vice President Chiwenga as the logical successor. Those against the extension argue that it mirrors the missteps of former President Robert Mugabe, who was ousted after attempting to rule indefinitely. They caution that pushing for an extension could damage the party's image and alienate potential supporters.
Zanu-PF's 2023 presidential campaign unity is now at risk, as the factions split on the issue of the 2030 extension. Some argue that Mnangagwa's term should end as prescribed by the constitution, and any attempt to amend it would undermine democratic principles. "There is no need to force Mnangagwa to follow Mugabe's footsteps," one source close to the opposition faction said. "Let those with ambitions for the presidency express them at the next congress."
The push for constitutional amendments to extend Mnangagwa's term has already been discussed at the party's annual conference, where most provinces voted in favor of the 2030 resolution. Zanu-PF's Harare provincial chairperson, Goodwills Masimirembwa, confirmed the party's full support for the plan, stating that they were now awaiting the necessary constitutional amendments or legal instruments to allow the extension. "Our total and undivided loyalty is to His Excellency Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa," he said.
However, even if the constitution is amended, the process would require a national referendum to pass, and Mnangagwa's tenure extension would still face significant legal and constitutional hurdles. Moreover, Vice President Chiwenga, who has largely avoided publicly supporting the "ED 2030" slogan, is reportedly against the move, preferring to position himself as Mnangagwa's successor in the 2027 Zanu-PF elective congress.
As the battle over Mnangagwa's future continues to unfold, Zanu-PF faces mounting internal pressure, with factionalism threatening to undermine the party's unity ahead of the 2028 elections. The growing debate on the President's term extension reflects the complex political dynamics at play within Zimbabwe's ruling party, where the race for leadership succession could reshape the country's political landscape.
Source - the independent
