Teachers vow to resist Mnangagwa's bid to extend rule

The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) and the Zimbabwe Solidarity Movement (ZSM) have declared that they will oppose any attempts by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to extend his stay in power beyond the constitutional two-term limit, warning that such a move would amount to a "constitutional coup."

In a strongly worded statement, ARTUZ said the 2030 agenda being pushed by Zanu-PF loyalists was an assault on democracy and the rule of law, describing it as an attempt to elevate Mnangagwa "from a common dictator to a feudal lord."

"Our rejection of the 2030 agenda is informed by the hopes and aspirations of our constituency, the masses of our people and the broader working class," the union said.

"During his tenure, Mnangagwa has robbed us of our Bill of Rights. Zimbabwe has seen a shocking 50 000 learners dropping out of school in one calendar year. The people have been squeezed through sugar tax, yet the cancer machines have never been delivered."

The union accused the government of presiding over worsening poverty, environmental degradation, and the shrinking of civic space.

"Unregulated mining has polluted water, destroyed schools and robbed peasants of their land. Mnangagwa has denied Zimbabweans their freedoms of association and assembly guaranteed in sections 58 and 59 of the Constitution. The MOPA and the PVO Act have been weaponised to silence dissent, and 100% of protests applied for by the pro-democracy movement were blocked in 2024," ARTUZ added.

The group further claimed that state resources were being deployed to "coerce and fracture" civil society movements perceived to be critical of the government.

"The economic growth being reported has only benefited the President's cartel of tenderpreneurs, while the working people endure brutal poverty. For Mnangagwa, 2030 means more wealth for the elite and more poverty for the people," the union said.

ARTUZ and ZSM said Zimbabwe's Constitution was explicit on term limits and that any attempt to alter them would be unlawful.

"The working people are convinced that term limits as prescribed in section 91 of the Constitution and section 2(1) on its supremacy are cast in stone. The 94% who voted 'yes' in the referendum did so to uphold two five-year terms for the President. No amount of twisted intellectualism will convince us otherwise," the statement reads.

They likened the current debate to past failed efforts by former leaders to secure life presidencies.

"Smith failed, Mugabe failed, and Mnangagwa is next in line. The octogenarian leader is advised to salvage what remains of his tainted legacy by going home peacefully at the conclusion of his term in 2028."

The latest statement adds to growing criticism from civic organisations and opposition parties over reports that elements within Zanu-PF are exploring legal or constitutional avenues to allow Mnangagwa to remain in office beyond 2028.