Ex-Zanu-PF insider exposes 2028 election plot

Former Zanu-PF member and newly elected Suthisa Ilizwqe-Gutsaruzhinji (Si-G) president Sybeth Musengezi has warned that the ruling party is already in election mode, allegedly positioning itself to manipulate the political system ahead of the 2028 general elections.

Musengezi, who recently launched Si-G, said early mobilisation by Zanu-PF, rising corruption and stalled political reforms compelled him to form a new political party and begin campaigning immediately. He argued that opposition forces must organise early to counter what he described as entrenched electoral manipulation by the ruling party.

Speaking to NewsDay after announcing the formation of his political outfit, Musengezi said Si-G would not wait for the proclamation of election dates before engaging voters.

"Zanu-PF is in election mode right now as we speak. They are moving around the country holding rallies. What is the purpose if not elections?" he said.

His remarks come at a time when Zanu-PF is pushing to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa's tenure by two years to 2030, despite strong resistance from civil society organisations and opposition political formations, which have declared a red line against what they describe as attempts to impose a life presidency.

Once a staunch supporter of Mnangagwa, Musengezi said his fallout with the ruling party stemmed from unfulfilled expectations of reform following the 2017 change of government.

"We wanted a lot of reforms in the party. Unfortunately, the system was still rigid. We expected Mnangagwa to change a lot of things, but I'm actually seeing things getting worse," he said.

Musengezi accused the Mnangagwa administration of failing to curb rampant corruption, which he said was being committed with impunity.

"Corruption is too much. Yes, development is there, but it's isolated and benefiting very few people. If you see roads being constructed, very few companies are doing those things, and the owners of those companies are politically connected," he said.

His claims appear to align with findings from the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), which showed Zimbabwe's continued slide in the fight against graft. The country scored 21 out of a possible 100 points, down from 24 in 2023, placing it below the sub-Saharan African average of 33 and the global average of 43. The highest score Zimbabwe has achieved since 2016 is 24 points.

Musengezi was previously arrested after challenging Mnangagwa's legitimacy and was later expelled from Zanu-PF. He said several party members had attempted to engage Mnangagwa over reforms, but without success.

"This is not what we expected when we took over in 2017," he said.

He urged Mnangagwa to distance himself from individuals involved in what he termed "shady deals" and instead focus on empowering ordinary citizens.

Musengezi also took aim at opposition political parties, accusing them of betraying Zimbabweans.

"I can't say there is any vibrant opposition in Zimbabwe. The only vibrant opposition leader is Nelson Chamisa," he said, adding that other opposition leaders prioritised personal interests over the struggles of the people.

He said Si-G had already begun campaigning nationwide in preparation for the 2028 elections.

"We need at least three years to build a political force that can dismantle Zanu-PF. We are not a fly-by-night party," Musengezi said.

He further alleged that Zanu-PF had rigged previous elections by manipulating electoral processes rather than vote tallies, claims the ruling party has consistently denied, maintaining that it wins elections because its policies resonate with Zimbabweans.

Drawing from his experience within Zanu-PF, Musengezi said he was better placed to counter the ruling party's strategies, while ruling out violence as a means to political change.

"There is no other way because we cannot talk of an armed struggle. We cannot talk of protesting. You think they are going to lose power because people have protested? They will just shoot you, as they did in 2018, and then life continues for them. So we want to face them in the ballot," he said.

In August 2018, six people were killed when soldiers opened fire on protesters demonstrating over delays in the release of presidential election results, while at least 35 others were injured during the disturbances.