Zanu PF endorses Mnangagwa beyond 2028

The Zanu PF Politburo has unanimously endorsed President Emmerson Mnangagwa to remain the party's President and First Secretary beyond 2028, in a move the ruling party says will guarantee political stability, continuity and certainty.

Zanu PF Secretary for Information and Publicity Ambassador Christopher Mutsvangwa announced the decision at a post-Politburo press conference in Harare on Wednesday.

The endorsement follows the enactment of Constitutional Amendment No. 3, which has altered the constitutional framework governing Zimbabwe's political and electoral arrangements.

Mutsvangwa said the Politburo was unanimous that Mnangagwa should continue leading the party beyond 2028, arguing that the decision would help maintain stability and sustain the country's economic recovery.

"The previous two Politburo meetings were subsequent to the passage of the CAB 3 Bill, which is now an Act, CAA3. It is of note that the genie is out of the bottle," Mutsvangwa said.

He said the constitutional amendment had removed uncertainty surrounding the country's political succession and reassured Zimbabweans and the international community about the continuity of leadership.

"We are now very confident as a country about the certainty of leadership," he said.

"We are also confident of the stability of the political system, and we are very assured of the sustenance of the economic miracle which our President and his Second Republic has delivered."

Mutsvangwa said the party had extensively consulted its structures and the electorate before the constitutional amendment was passed by Parliament.

He said the overwhelming support for the legislation in both the National Assembly and Senate demonstrated broad acceptance of the changes, which were subsequently signed into law by Mnangagwa.

The development also follows calls from some Zanu PF provincial structures for the party constitution to be reviewed and aligned with the Constitution of Zimbabwe, as amended, particularly in relation to the tenure and electoral cycles of party structures.

Mutsvangwa said the constitutional changes had effectively addressed concerns about a potential leadership transition in 2028 and would prevent succession politics from destabilising the country.

"This was very, very important as a signal to the world that Zimbabwe can handle its affairs in such a manner that there is smoothness in any political systems which are sure of continuity and certainty," he said.

He described the amendment as having removed what he called a "sword of Damocles" hanging over the country and said those who had expected political instability would be disappointed.

"For those detractors who always believed Zimbabwe would somehow be thrown off balance, I say this marks the end of their influence in Zimbabwean politics," Mutsvangwa said.

"And with that shift comes the beginning of Zimbabwe's sustained economic resurgence on a long-term scale."

The endorsement effectively places Mnangagwa at the centre of Zanu PF's political leadership beyond the 2028 electoral cycle, while the party moves to align its internal structures with the amended constitutional framework.