Tshabangu endorses Mnangagwa's bid to extend rule to 2030?

Zimbabwe's main opposition CCC Secretary-General Sengezo Tshabangu has thrown his weight behind President Emmerson Mnangagwa's controversial bid to extend his rule beyond the 2028 constitutional term limit to 2030. Speaking during a high-profile visit to Mnangagwa's Precabe Farm in Sherwood, Kwekwe, Tshabangu declared that if extending Mnangagwa's tenure benefits Zimbabweans, then "let it be."

Tshabangu's remarks, delivered to a standing ovation from legislators, included applause from Mnangagwa and Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda. This unexpected endorsement marks a significant political shift, as the opposition had recently suggested deferring the 2028 general elections to 2030 to allow Mnangagwa to complete his "development projects."

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The visit, attended by approximately 300 legislators, was led by Mudenda, ZANU-PF Chief Whip Pupurai Togarepi, and Tshabangu. While the event was ostensibly to showcase modern farming practices at Precabe Farm, it became a platform for consolidating political support for Mnangagwa's 2030 agenda.

Precabe Farm, increasingly seen as Mnangagwa's strategic base for political and governmental activities, has played a pivotal role in shaping the 2030 narrative. The President has positioned himself as both a modern farming icon and a symbol of Zimbabwean progress, even adopting the title "Munhumutapa," evoking the legacy of ancient Shona emperors.

ZANU-PF has already endorsed Mnangagwa's bid to remain in power until 2030, a resolution ratified at its October 2023 annual conference in Bulawayo. However, this plan has faced internal resistance, particularly from Vice President Constantino Chiwenga and his military-backed faction.

Mnangagwa's push to amend the constitution would require two referenda: one to remove term limits and another to ensure that the incumbent can benefit from such changes during their tenure. These legal hurdles, combined with political opposition from Chiwenga's faction, have made the 2030 project a contentious endeavor.

Tshabangu's endorsement highlights a growing collaboration between ZANU-PF and the CCC faction he leads in Parliament. His statement reflected an apparent shift in the opposition's stance, prioritizing what he described as national unity and developmental goals over contesting the ruling party's agenda.

"While our role as the opposition is to contest the status quo, if extending Mnangagwa's rule further benefits and makes Zimbabweans happy, then let it be," Tshabangu said to widespread applause.

Mnangagwa's extended rule has fueled tensions within ZANU-PF, particularly with Chiwenga, who had reportedly expected to take over as President after Mnangagwa's initial term following the 2017 coup. The power struggle has exacerbated factionalism within the ruling party, setting the stage for a potentially dramatic showdown.

While Mnangagwa continues to rally political and parliamentary support for his 2030 vision, resistance from Chiwenga's camp signals that the battle for ZANU-PF's leadership and the nation's future remains far from resolved.

As Zimbabwe watches this high-stakes political maneuvering unfold, the implications of extending Mnangagwa's rule could reshape the country's political and constitutional landscape for years to come.