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Mnangagwa's days are numbered, says Kasukuwere
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Former Zanu-PF political commissar and ex-local government minister Saviour Kasukuwere has claimed that President Emmerson Mnangagwa's tenure is nearing its end, citing the loss of support from a key constituency—war veterans.
Speaking in a recent interview with HStv, Kasukuwere, who has been in self-imposed exile in South Africa since the 2017 military coup that ousted Robert Mugabe, said Mnangagwa's fallout with war veterans is politically fatal.
"Once those war veterans say your job is done, that's the end. He's hanging around, but the truth of the matter is he's gone. The most critical branch in Zanu-PF is that thing called the war veterans," Kasukuwere asserted.
His remarks come as a faction of war veterans, led by Blessed Geza, has called for a nationwide shutdown to force Mnangagwa to step down. Geza, a former member of Zanu-PF's central committee, denied allegations that his movement is aligned with Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who is widely seen as a contender for the presidency.
Geza accused Mnangagwa of clinging to power despite widespread discontent, saying, "We have called upon Mnangagwa to step down immediately, but he ignored [us]. The people are going to force him to step down in line with the provisions of the constitution. Mnangagwa must just go."
The outspoken war veteran has since become a target of police, who announced Wednesday that Geza is wanted on charges of incitement to commit public violence, undermining the authority of the president, and allegedly selling vehicles without the owner's consent.
Despite the legal threats, Geza vowed to mobilize Zimbabweans for a shutdown, saying, "We're going to call for action soon. Stock up in preparation for a national shutdown as we march to a free Zimbabwe. Fellow Zimbabweans, be ready for action once you receive the signal."
Geza emphasized that their efforts aim to include all Zimbabweans and avoid a repeat of the 2017 coup dynamics, where Zanu-PF regrouped to consolidate its rule. "We have put mechanisms to make sure the revolution will not be hijacked again. All stakeholders from various parties and civic groups will be consulted on every step we take," he said.
The growing unrest comes amid a controversial push by Mnangagwa's loyalists to extend his presidency beyond the constitutional two-term limit, which ends in 2028. Such an extension would require at least two public referendums, making it legally improbable, but it has sparked fierce opposition within Zanu-PF and across the country.
Vice President Chiwenga, seen as Mnangagwa's likely successor, is reportedly at odds with the president over the extension plan, further fueling speculation about internal Zanu-PF fractures.
The growing rebellion within Mnangagwa's support base, combined with nationwide economic struggles and mounting public dissatisfaction, suggests turbulent times ahead for Zimbabwe's leadership. Whether the war veterans' actions will translate into tangible political change remains to be seen.
Speaking in a recent interview with HStv, Kasukuwere, who has been in self-imposed exile in South Africa since the 2017 military coup that ousted Robert Mugabe, said Mnangagwa's fallout with war veterans is politically fatal.
"Once those war veterans say your job is done, that's the end. He's hanging around, but the truth of the matter is he's gone. The most critical branch in Zanu-PF is that thing called the war veterans," Kasukuwere asserted.
His remarks come as a faction of war veterans, led by Blessed Geza, has called for a nationwide shutdown to force Mnangagwa to step down. Geza, a former member of Zanu-PF's central committee, denied allegations that his movement is aligned with Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who is widely seen as a contender for the presidency.
Geza accused Mnangagwa of clinging to power despite widespread discontent, saying, "We have called upon Mnangagwa to step down immediately, but he ignored [us]. The people are going to force him to step down in line with the provisions of the constitution. Mnangagwa must just go."
Despite the legal threats, Geza vowed to mobilize Zimbabweans for a shutdown, saying, "We're going to call for action soon. Stock up in preparation for a national shutdown as we march to a free Zimbabwe. Fellow Zimbabweans, be ready for action once you receive the signal."
Geza emphasized that their efforts aim to include all Zimbabweans and avoid a repeat of the 2017 coup dynamics, where Zanu-PF regrouped to consolidate its rule. "We have put mechanisms to make sure the revolution will not be hijacked again. All stakeholders from various parties and civic groups will be consulted on every step we take," he said.
The growing unrest comes amid a controversial push by Mnangagwa's loyalists to extend his presidency beyond the constitutional two-term limit, which ends in 2028. Such an extension would require at least two public referendums, making it legally improbable, but it has sparked fierce opposition within Zanu-PF and across the country.
Vice President Chiwenga, seen as Mnangagwa's likely successor, is reportedly at odds with the president over the extension plan, further fueling speculation about internal Zanu-PF fractures.
The growing rebellion within Mnangagwa's support base, combined with nationwide economic struggles and mounting public dissatisfaction, suggests turbulent times ahead for Zimbabwe's leadership. Whether the war veterans' actions will translate into tangible political change remains to be seen.
Source - zimlive
