Mnangagwa praise singers stampede for cash

A surge of Zanu-PF-affiliated organisations has emerged in Zimbabwe, driven by a faction loyal to President Emmerson Mnangagwa pushing to extend his term beyond 2030. Despite constitutional provisions requiring Mnangagwa to retire in 2028 after two five-year terms, loyalists are lobbying for amendments to allow him to remain in power.

The affiliates cut across diverse sectors, including former footballers, teachers, journalists, doctors, artisans, miners, mechanics, farmers, youth, women, and pensioners. Some of the groups have raised substantial funds: the recently launched Ama2K4ED reportedly garnered US$700,000 in donations from controversial businessmen. Former national soccer coach Sunday Chidzambwa and ex-Highlanders player Gift Lunga Junior appeared in videos pledging allegiance to a group called Former Footballers and Coaches4ED.

Critics describe the affiliates as vehicles for patronage, corruption, and political survival rather than genuine economic or social development. Analyst Jealousy Mawarire said the affiliates serve as conduits for Zanu-PF benefactors and tenderpreneurs to exploit state resources and extort investors, with funds allegedly diverted to support the 2030 agenda and enrich elites. Opposition figures also denounced the programme: MDC-T's Chengetai Guta called it a "smokescreen" to legitimise long-term political ambitions, while Linda Masarira of Labour, Economists and Afrikan Democrats described it as a "patronage-driven expansion."

Political analysts suggest the affiliates are a tool for internal power balancing and succession politics. Catherine Maboya from Chinhoyi University said Zanu-PF uses such structures to dilute counterbalancing factions and influence party elections, while Marvelous Chichetu described the growth as "fear-driven alignment," with many joining for protection rather than loyalty.

Concerns extend to specific sectors, with Farai Maguwu of the Centre for Natural Resource Governance alleging some mining affiliates exploit political ties for illegal activities, and Progressive Teachers Union president Takavafira Zhou accusing education-sector affiliates of swindling teachers under the guise of empowerment workshops.

Zanu-PF officials, including director of information Farai Marapira, defend the affiliates as evidence of the party's popularity and capacity to address citizen needs. Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, the party's legal secretary, has reportedly been tasked with initiating legal processes to implement the 2030 agenda.

Observers have warned that the proliferation of affiliates—sometimes shadowy and linked to intelligence structures—poses risks of undermining party cohesion and intensifying corruption, as seen in previous Zanu-PF-affiliate operations. Despite Mnangagwa publicly denying interest in extending his tenure, he has not curbed the 2030 campaign, allowing the affiliate drive to gather momentum.