Ex-soldiers launch party to challenge Mnangagwa term extension

A group of retired and former serving members of Zimbabwe's security services has launched a new political party, pledging to restore discipline, accountability and constitutional governance while criticising the government's handling of national affairs.

The formation of the Guardians of Zimbabwe comes at a time of growing opposition from retired military and security personnel to President Emmerson Mnangagwa's reported bid to remain in office beyond the constitutionally prescribed two-term limit.

The party's launch also follows the passage of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3) through both the National Assembly and Senate. The Bill proposes extending the terms of the President, Parliament and local authorities, and has attracted criticism from opposition parties, civil society organisations and some figures within the ruling party.

Addressing supporters at the launch, Guardians of Zimbabwe president Moses Kumbweya, a former security officer, said the movement was founded on the oath members had taken to serve the country rather than any political organisation.

"For years, we wore the uniforms of this nation in the army, the police and prison services. We swore an oath not to any political party or individual, but to Zimbabwe and her people," Kumbweya said.

He said former members of the security services had witnessed the effects of corruption, poor governance and declining discipline while serving in state institutions.

"We have defended this country and its interests at the borders and beyond. Now we must defend it in its boardrooms, its ministries, its communities and for our people abroad," he said.

Kumbweya described the Guardians of Zimbabwe as "a political party born out of oath" and said it aimed to restore order through public service and constitutionalism.

He criticised ZANU PF's "2030 agenda", arguing that the government had failed to improve public services or adequately protect vulnerable citizens despite seeking to extend its tenure.

"As retired soldiers, we took an oath to defend the Constitution, not to see it rewritten for the benefit of a few. We cannot stand by while those in power engineer a legal coup to stay beyond their mandate," he said.

The party's deputy president, Constance Zulu, said the organisation was committed to building a government focused on improving the welfare of ordinary Zimbabweans.

"I, too, swore an oath to serve Zimbabwe, an oath that does not expire when the uniform comes off," she said, adding that many families continued to struggle with poverty, unemployment and declining living standards despite the country's natural resources.

Organising secretary Oscar Chaza said the party was particularly concerned about the economic hardships facing civil servants, including teachers, nurses, police officers and members of the defence forces.

He also highlighted the difficulties experienced by pensioners and retired civil servants, saying inflation and prolonged economic instability had significantly reduced the value of their retirement benefits.

The emergence of the Guardians of Zimbabwe is expected to add another voice to the country's increasingly polarised political landscape, particularly as debate over CAB3 and Zimbabwe's constitutional future intensifies.

The party's formation also comes against the backdrop of growing tensions within ZANU PF, where factions aligned to President Mnangagwa and Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga are widely perceived to be engaged in a succession battle, with some retired military figures publicly opposing any move to extend the President's tenure beyond constitutional limits.