No eternal posts in Zanu-PF, says Mudenda

Zanu-PF secretary-general Jacob Mudenda has reminded party members that no leadership position is permanent, including the presidency, and should never be treated as personal property.

Addressing a Mashonaland West provincial coordinating committee meeting in Chinhoyi, Mudenda warned against personalising positions of authority, saying offices outlive individuals and must be respected as party institutions.

He told members that leadership transitions are natural and inevitable, urging humility and merit-based leadership within party ranks.

"Members must know that today you are a central committee member; tomorrow you may be gone," he said. "Even if you are a politburo member, tomorrow you may not be there. But the positions will remain to be filled by other members. So do not be fooled by these positions because they belong to the party."

Mudenda said the presidency itself is not eternal, citing past leaders to illustrate his point.

"Even the presidency — first it was Canaan (Banana), then (President Robert) Mugabe," he said. "They are all gone. Today we have President Emmerson Mnangagwa, and tomorrow he will be gone. That is God's law."

His remarks come amid debate over Constitutional Amendment Number 3, which has been gazetted and proposes changes that include extending the terms of the president and Parliament by two years. The Bill also proposes ending direct presidential elections and shifting the vote for president to Parliament.

Critics have argued that the proposed amendments should be subjected to a referendum, while Government maintains that the changes do not seek to extend President Mnangagwa's tenure beyond its constitutional limit in 2028, but rather to adjust the electoral cycle. Government has indicated that the Bill will be decided in Parliament.

Mudenda also called on senior party members to respect grassroots structures, saying the party's foundation lies at village level.

"You must have respect for all party structures right down to the village level because the party exists because of them, notwithstanding your current position," he said.

He cautioned against clinging to positions of authority, describing them as stewardship roles meant to serve the people.

"Let us not possess these positions. They are meant to facilitate us as stewards to work for the people," Mudenda said.

He urged members to select leaders on merit to ensure the party's continued strength and unity, amid reports of internal contestation ahead of next year's elective congress.