News / National
Mthwakazi, CCC speak out against ED2030
29 Jan 2025 at 08:47hrs | Views
The Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) has strongly opposed a Zanu-PF faction's attempt to amend the Constitution and extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa's term until 2030, calling it an unconstitutional and treacherous move.
Mnangagwa has consistently stated that he will not seek a third term and will step down when his current two terms end in 2028. However, recent remarks by Justice, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi indicated that Zanu-PF is working on a constitutional amendment to extend Mnangagwa's presidency, following a resolution passed at the Zanu-PF National People's Conference in Bulawayo last year.
In an interview with Southern Eye yesterday, MRP president Mqondisi Moyo condemned the push for an extended term, accusing Zanu-PF of treachery. He questioned Mnangagwa's true stance on the issue, suggesting that the President was not genuinely opposed to the idea.
"The President and leader of the ruling party has chosen not to exercise his authority to halt this unconstitutional push for an extended term," Moyo said. "Instead, he seems to be underhandedly embracing the move, creating the illusion that he's being pressured by party members. This duplicity has raised questions about his integrity and commitment to upholding the Constitution."
Moyo went on to criticize Mnangagwa's leadership, saying that his presidency was a reminder of the dangers of unchecked power and disregard for human rights. He accused Zanu-PF of manipulating internal factions and exploiting political divisions to push the narrative of support for the term extension.
"Zanu-PF has covertly manipulated Sengezo Tshabangu's minority faction and exploited divisions within CCC parliamentarians to orchestrate a fake show of support," Moyo added. "This tactic aims to create a misleading narrative of consensus, masking the stark absence of genuine agreement."
Promise Mkwananzi, spokesperson for the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), echoed MRP's concerns, reaffirming his party's stance against any attempt to extend Mnangagwa's term. Mkwananzi emphasized that the CCC would do everything within its power to ensure that elections are held as scheduled in 2028.
"We will do everything permissible in a democratic society to stop him and his cabal and ensure that elections are conducted in 2028 as scheduled," Mkwananzi said.
The calls for a constitutional amendment and the extension of Mnangagwa's term have sparked tensions within Zimbabwe's political landscape, raising concerns about the future of the country's democracy. Both the MRP and the CCC have vowed to take legal and political action to resist any moves that would undermine the constitutional limits on presidential terms.
As the debate continues, the opposition parties are urging the government to honor the Constitution and the democratic process, ensuring that the leadership transition planned for 2028 remains on track.
Mnangagwa has consistently stated that he will not seek a third term and will step down when his current two terms end in 2028. However, recent remarks by Justice, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi indicated that Zanu-PF is working on a constitutional amendment to extend Mnangagwa's presidency, following a resolution passed at the Zanu-PF National People's Conference in Bulawayo last year.
In an interview with Southern Eye yesterday, MRP president Mqondisi Moyo condemned the push for an extended term, accusing Zanu-PF of treachery. He questioned Mnangagwa's true stance on the issue, suggesting that the President was not genuinely opposed to the idea.
"The President and leader of the ruling party has chosen not to exercise his authority to halt this unconstitutional push for an extended term," Moyo said. "Instead, he seems to be underhandedly embracing the move, creating the illusion that he's being pressured by party members. This duplicity has raised questions about his integrity and commitment to upholding the Constitution."
Moyo went on to criticize Mnangagwa's leadership, saying that his presidency was a reminder of the dangers of unchecked power and disregard for human rights. He accused Zanu-PF of manipulating internal factions and exploiting political divisions to push the narrative of support for the term extension.
Promise Mkwananzi, spokesperson for the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), echoed MRP's concerns, reaffirming his party's stance against any attempt to extend Mnangagwa's term. Mkwananzi emphasized that the CCC would do everything within its power to ensure that elections are held as scheduled in 2028.
"We will do everything permissible in a democratic society to stop him and his cabal and ensure that elections are conducted in 2028 as scheduled," Mkwananzi said.
The calls for a constitutional amendment and the extension of Mnangagwa's term have sparked tensions within Zimbabwe's political landscape, raising concerns about the future of the country's democracy. Both the MRP and the CCC have vowed to take legal and political action to resist any moves that would undermine the constitutional limits on presidential terms.
As the debate continues, the opposition parties are urging the government to honor the Constitution and the democratic process, ensuring that the leadership transition planned for 2028 remains on track.
Source - newsday
