'Mnangagwa warned against prolonged tenure'

President Emmerson Mnangagwa is said to be acutely aware of the dangers of extended incumbency without popular support, citing the downfall of his predecessor Robert Mugabe as a cautionary tale, according to Zanu-PF spokesperson Patrick Mutsvangwa.

In an interview yesterday, Mutsvangwa said Mnangagwa closely observed the final years of Mugabe's rule and the political turbulence that culminated in the November 2017 coup. "He watched in trepidation and horror as senility manacled an aging President Mugabe and the reckless G40 power pretenders conjured a palace coup and the creation of a family dynasty," Mutsvangwa said.

"Having gone through the treadmill of grappling with such a threatening scenario, he is very alive and alert to the nation facing a repeat scenario that stalks Zanu-PF and its quest for the glory of the permanent Zimbabwe revolution," he added.

His remarks come amid controversy over the gazetting of Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3, which critics argue violates constitutional safeguards. Proponents claim the amendments are intended to strengthen governance structures and curb political toxicity, while opponents insist the bill seeks to extend Mnangagwa's tenure beyond his constitutionally mandated two terms, set to expire in 2028.

Zanu-PF adopted a resolution to extend Mnangagwa's term in 2024 and ratified it at its annual conference in Mutare last year. The proposed bill also includes sweeping reforms, such as scrapping direct presidential elections and restructuring several independent commissions.

Last week, six war veterans represented by constitutional law expert Lovemore Madhuku filed an application with the Constitutional Court challenging the amendments. The court papers stated:

"The bill seeks, in both design and effect, to prolong the 1st respondent's incumbency and current term of office. That constitutional violation is further deepened by the manifest intention not to hold a referendum, notwithstanding the constitution's entrenched safeguards against unilateral alteration of the democratic tenure framework."

The case is not yet set for hearing. Former British MP Kate Hoey called the bill "the latest attack on democracy," posting on X that anyone concerned about Zimbabwe should view the amendments with alarm.

Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi defended the bill, asserting that the presidential term limit remains intact. "We have just elongated the election cycle from five to seven years. It is not specific to a person but to the office of the President," he said.

Mutsvangwa praised Mnangagwa's intellectual capacity and global engagement, highlighting his recent interview with American commentator Tucker Carlson during the World Governance Summit in Dubai. He framed this as evidence of Mnangagwa's international influence and ideological clarity, adding that he personally facilitated the high-profile interview.

Addressing a press conference last Thursday, Mutsvangwa also criticised unnamed Zanu-PF members allegedly seeking to usurp power from Mnangagwa. "If it ain't broken, why do you want to mend it? Let this man continue because he is doing a good job," he said. "You are untested, and you have never won an election before, and you want to take over. No. The people of Zimbabwe want comfort and security."

Mutsvangwa stressed that he harbours no presidential ambitions and has consistently supported Mnangagwa against internal calls for leadership change.