Mnangagwa 2037 push gathers pace

A fresh campaign to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa's stay in office to 2037 is gaining momentum within Zanu PF, with Manicaland becoming the latest province to endorse the proposal, a development expected to intensify succession debates within the ruling party.

The renewed push comes only weeks after Mnangagwa signed the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Act into law, extending presidential and parliamentary terms from five to seven years and postponing the next harmonised elections from 2028 to 2030.

The constitutional amendments also provide for the election of future presidents by Parliament rather than through direct popular vote. The changes are currently being challenged in court by opposition parties, lawyers and civil society organisations, who argue that such fundamental constitutional amendments require approval through a national referendum.

Manicaland now joins Harare and Masvingo provinces, which have already declared support for Mnangagwa to remain in office beyond 2030.

Zanu PF Manicaland provincial chairperson Tawanda Mukodza confirmed that the province intends to adopt a formal resolution supporting the extension of Mnangagwa's leadership.

"As Manicaland, we need to move beyond 2030 and we support that resolution. It's a new resolution and we are going to pass it at our provincial conference before we go to the national conference," Mukodza said.

"At the conference in Mashonaland West, we are going to pass that resolution that will see our rule beyond 2030."

Supporters of the proposal argue that extending Mnangagwa's tenure would provide continuity for the implementation of Vision 2030, the government's development blueprint aimed at transforming Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income economy.

The ruling party has also defended the recent constitutional amendments, saying longer terms of office will allow government to implement long-term development programmes without the disruptions associated with frequent elections.

Mukodza also dismissed allegations that civil servants were being compelled to contribute financially towards preparations for the party's annual conference.

"We have never forced anyone," he said.

"Zanu PF is a party which lives with people. If you are a civil servant and you want to donate to the party, we are going to accept that donation."

He said Manicaland had been tasked with raising US$75,000, in addition to livestock, vegetables and other food supplies, for the forthcoming national conference.

The constitutional amendments remain the subject of legal challenges, with opponents arguing that extending presidential terms and changing the method of electing a president are fundamental constitutional changes that should have been subjected to a national referendum rather than being enacted through Parliament.

Within Zanu PF, the latest proposal is expected to heighten internal succession dynamics amid reports that some party members are also advocating for the postponement of the party's elective congress scheduled for 2027, a move that analysts say could further delay leadership renewal within the ruling party.

The developments are likely to fuel both legal and political debate over Zimbabwe's constitutional order and the future leadership of the country's governing party.