Mnangagwa not losing sleep over ouster attempts

President Emmerson Mnangagwa is reportedly having "sleepless nights" over growing calls from within ZANU PF for his term of office to be extended beyond the constitutional limit of 2028, according to the ruling party's spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa.

Addressing journalists at the ZANU PF headquarters during a lengthy press conference on Monday, Mutsvangwa admitted that mounting internal pressure for Mnangagwa to stay beyond his second term is rattling the President, despite his repeated assurances that he is a staunch constitutionalist.

"The President is delivering on the mandate of prosperity which he was given by the people of Zimbabwe," Mutsvangwa said. "People do not vote for presidents to nominate successors. That is not the business of the electorate. Those who are coming from the party with ambitions must hold their horses."

His remarks come amid intensifying divisions within the party, as factions battle over whether Mnangagwa should extend his rule beyond the constitutional two-term limit or step aside in 2028 as currently mandated.

Mutsvangwa, a prominent war veteran and former Cabinet Minister who was instrumental in the 2017 military-assisted ouster of the late former President Robert Mugabe, used the platform to caution against attempts to impose succession agendas prematurely.

"When a leader no longer serves the revolution, we remove them. We did that with Mugabe, who wanted to turn his household into a dynasty," he said. "Whenever a leader tries to become bigger than the revolution, we deal with them. That is the tradition of ZANU PF."

He accused Mugabe of trying to subvert the will of the people by positioning his wife, Grace Mugabe, to succeed him—a move that triggered widespread backlash and ultimately his removal. Mutsvangwa insisted that President Mnangagwa is different.

"There is a difference between President Mnangagwa, who says ‘I am a constitutionalist,' and Mugabe, who said ‘my wife will be queen when I'm gone,'" he added.

Despite speculation that he may be eyeing the presidency himself, Mutsvangwa refused to reveal his ambitions, saying any decisions on succession would be dealt with after Mnangagwa's term ends.

"What is wrong is pushing for the President's immediate succession before the constitutional term ends. That's what we saw during the March 31 incident, which you (journalists) promoted," he said, referring to growing public discourse and internal dissent regarding the party's future leadership.

With the succession debate heating up and factions reportedly forming behind Mnangagwa's deputy, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, the party faces renewed internal strife reminiscent of the final years of the Mugabe era.

While Mnangagwa has publicly stated his commitment to leave office at the end of his second term in 2028, his silence on efforts to extend his rule continues to stir speculation within the party and beyond.

As tensions rise, observers say the party's future could hinge on whether it upholds the constitutional framework—or repeats history.