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Zanu‑PF faces internal push to scrap 2027 elective congress, complicating succession matrix
5 hrs ago |
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HARARE - Zanu‑PF is facing an internal campaign to abort its scheduled 2027 elective congress to choose a new First Secretary and President, in a move party sources say is designed to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa's leadership and further narrow Vice President Constantino Chiwenga's prospects of succeeding him.
The push emerged publicly over the weekend during Constitution Amendment Act No. 3 celebrations in Epworth, where senior party officials and district representatives discussed proposals to have the party's conference later this year pass a resolution deferring internal elections.
Several district and provincial officials, speaking anonymously because they are not authorised to comment publicly, told this publication that what began as public sloganeering for "2030" has evolved into structured "secret campaigns and educational awareness events" across multiple provinces. According to the sources, the objective is to canvass party structures to craft and adopt a resolution postponing the 2027 elective congress. The final push is expected at Zanu‑PF's Annual National People's Conference in Chinhoyi later this year.
"It is being presented as alignment," one provincial official said. "The argument being made to districts is that the party constitution should be aligned with the national constitution to appreciate and complement the President's Vision and proven developmental record."
Constitution Amendment No. 3, recently assented to by President Mnangagwa, has become a reference point in those discussions, with proponents arguing for consistency between party and national governance frameworks.
If adopted, the resolution would delay the process of electing a new First Secretary — a position Mnangagwa currently holds — and, by extension, the party's presidential candidate. That delay would directly affect the internal succession matrix, where Chiwenga is widely regarded as the most prominent contender.
Sources aligned to a faction opposed to Chiwenga's immediate ascendancy said they are working "tirelessly" with districts and provincial officials to ensure the plot becomes reality as Resolution Number 1 at the Chinhoyi conference. "If the structures are impressed and influenced, it would further dwindle the chances of one individual and give room for the grooming of other alternatives believed to be from a new character with growing influence within party circles," another source said. The sources did not name the "new character".
Zanu‑PF's constitution currently provides for elective congresses every five years. Any change to that timeline would require an amendment passed by congress or, in some cases, endorsed by conference and later ratified.
Party spokesman Ambassador Christopher Mutsvangwa had not responded to requests for comment by the time of publication.
Publicly, senior leaders including Senator Charles Tawengwa, Minister of State for Harare Metropolitan Provincial Affairs, and Omega Hungwe, along with other provincial and district officials, have in recent weeks emphasised unity and support for the President's development agenda following the Epworth celebrations.
The debate comes as Zanu‑PF seeks to consolidate support around Government programmes under Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 2, with the "2030" slogan used at several recent rallies, including the Epworth event marking Amendment No. 3.
Political analysts say any move to postpone internal elections will intensify debate within the party about leadership renewal versus continuity, and about how Zanu‑PF manages succession ahead of the next national elections. Close sources say the "2030" mobilisation drive aims to align the party constitution with national law and delay the vote for a new First Secretary.
For now, the Chinhoyi conference later this year is shaping up as the key test of whether the proposed resolution gains traction across districts and provinces - and whether it reshapes the contest to succeed Mnangagwa, feeding broader discussions around Zanu‑PF succession politics and CAB3 political alignment.
The push emerged publicly over the weekend during Constitution Amendment Act No. 3 celebrations in Epworth, where senior party officials and district representatives discussed proposals to have the party's conference later this year pass a resolution deferring internal elections.
Several district and provincial officials, speaking anonymously because they are not authorised to comment publicly, told this publication that what began as public sloganeering for "2030" has evolved into structured "secret campaigns and educational awareness events" across multiple provinces. According to the sources, the objective is to canvass party structures to craft and adopt a resolution postponing the 2027 elective congress. The final push is expected at Zanu‑PF's Annual National People's Conference in Chinhoyi later this year.
"It is being presented as alignment," one provincial official said. "The argument being made to districts is that the party constitution should be aligned with the national constitution to appreciate and complement the President's Vision and proven developmental record."
Constitution Amendment No. 3, recently assented to by President Mnangagwa, has become a reference point in those discussions, with proponents arguing for consistency between party and national governance frameworks.
If adopted, the resolution would delay the process of electing a new First Secretary — a position Mnangagwa currently holds — and, by extension, the party's presidential candidate. That delay would directly affect the internal succession matrix, where Chiwenga is widely regarded as the most prominent contender.
Sources aligned to a faction opposed to Chiwenga's immediate ascendancy said they are working "tirelessly" with districts and provincial officials to ensure the plot becomes reality as Resolution Number 1 at the Chinhoyi conference. "If the structures are impressed and influenced, it would further dwindle the chances of one individual and give room for the grooming of other alternatives believed to be from a new character with growing influence within party circles," another source said. The sources did not name the "new character".
Zanu‑PF's constitution currently provides for elective congresses every five years. Any change to that timeline would require an amendment passed by congress or, in some cases, endorsed by conference and later ratified.
Party spokesman Ambassador Christopher Mutsvangwa had not responded to requests for comment by the time of publication.
Publicly, senior leaders including Senator Charles Tawengwa, Minister of State for Harare Metropolitan Provincial Affairs, and Omega Hungwe, along with other provincial and district officials, have in recent weeks emphasised unity and support for the President's development agenda following the Epworth celebrations.
The debate comes as Zanu‑PF seeks to consolidate support around Government programmes under Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 2, with the "2030" slogan used at several recent rallies, including the Epworth event marking Amendment No. 3.
Political analysts say any move to postpone internal elections will intensify debate within the party about leadership renewal versus continuity, and about how Zanu‑PF manages succession ahead of the next national elections. Close sources say the "2030" mobilisation drive aims to align the party constitution with national law and delay the vote for a new First Secretary.
For now, the Chinhoyi conference later this year is shaping up as the key test of whether the proposed resolution gains traction across districts and provinces - and whether it reshapes the contest to succeed Mnangagwa, feeding broader discussions around Zanu‑PF succession politics and CAB3 political alignment.
Source - Byo24News
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