ZANU-PF, war veterans back Mnangagwa's term extension?

ZANU-PF and veterans of the liberation struggle have reaffirmed their commitment to the resolution passed at the 21st Annual National People's Conference, calling for the extension of President Emmerson Mnangagwa's term beyond 2028 to ensure continuity in the government's Vision 2030 agenda.

ZANU-PF Secretary for War Veterans, Ex-Political Prisoners, Detainees, and Restrictees, Douglas Mahiya, emphasized that the resolution reflects the will of the majority and is aimed at allowing President Mnangagwa to complete his developmental vision of transforming Zimbabwe into an Upper Middle-Income Society by 2030.

However, opposition to this move has emerged from a small faction of war veterans led by Blessing Runesu Geza. The group has been criticized for allegedly undermining the party's decisions, with Mahiya dismissing their stance as a "foreign agenda" meant to create division within ZANU-PF.

"ZANU-PF will not listen to misguided elements. Geza's sentiments do not represent the position of war veterans. They are advancing the interests of their handlers, who are yet to be identified. This is a foreign agenda meant to cause disharmony within the party," said Mahiya in an interview yesterday.

He reiterated that the War Veterans League is a key wing of ZANU-PF and must abide by decisions made at the party's conference and congress.

"Once a decision is made at the conference or congress, war veterans cannot oppose it. The decision of the majority will stand," he added.

At the 21st Annual National People's Conference held in Bulawayo in October last year, delegates unanimously endorsed a resolution to extend President Mnangagwa's term, directing the Government to initiate the necessary constitutional amendments to facilitate the move.

Mashonaland East ZANU-PF provincial chairman, Daniel Garwe, reaffirmed that the party would not be swayed by expelled members attempting to derail the resolution.

"Whether they like it or not, whether they denigrate the President or not, it will not stop the extension of President Mnangagwa's term of office beyond 2028," he said, referencing expelled party members such as Godwin Gomwe and Godfrey Tsenengamu.

The Government has begun implementing various resolutions adopted at the ZANU-PF Annual National People's Conference. These resolutions focus on critical areas such as economic development, social services, poverty eradication, infrastructure, value addition, liberation war heritage, climate change, and international engagement.

Justice, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi emphasized that the resolutions are not individualistic but rather collective decisions made through wide consultation from district to provincial levels before being adopted at the national conference.

"The resolutions are a product of wide consultation and consensus. Once resolutions are adopted, each respective ministry takes up issues within their portfolio, and the party Secretary-General communicates them to the ministries for implementation," Minister Ziyambi explained.

Regarding the proposed term extension, he outlined the legal process, stating that a constitutional amendment will follow the standard legislative procedure.

"Once issues arise that require legislative intervention, the normal process will be initiated. The Cabinet will consider the principles, after which the Attorney-General's office will draft the Bill and conduct nationwide consultations," he said.

The Government's push to extend President Mnangagwa's leadership beyond 2028 is seen as a crucial step in ensuring policy continuity and achieving Vision 2030. ZANU-PF remains firm in its stance that Mnangagwa's leadership is key to Zimbabwe's socio-economic transformation, dismissing dissenting voices as disruptive elements working against national progress.