Zimbabwe’s ruling party, Zanu PF, is making bold moves to change the Constitution so President Emmerson Mnangagwa can stay in power beyond his current term, set to end in 2028. This comes despite Mnangagwa previously saying he would step down after his second term.
Right now, the Constitution limits the president to two five-year terms. But some within Zanu PF are pushing to amend this rule at the party’s annual conference in October. Over the weekend, the party’s Harare province publicly supported the idea, and more provinces are expected to follow. Harare’s chairperson, Godwills Masimirembwa, stated they believe it’s crucial to change the law to let Mnangagwa continue his rule.
“We know what the Constitution says,” Masimirembwa said, “but there are ways to work around it. We could extend the length of each term, increase the number of terms, or even scrap the term limits completely.”
Because Zanu PF has a two-thirds majority in Parliament, changing the Constitution should be straightforward. However, there’s a catch: any change isn’t supposed to benefit the current president. Mnangagwa’s allies are looking to remove this restriction as well, which could pave the way for him to extend his time in office.
Zanu PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa has acknowledged that while some party members are pushing for these changes, it’s not the official party line yet. “Our party allows provinces to make their own suggestions, but the politburo, which is our top decision-making body, hasn’t even discussed this,” Mutsvangwa said.
Not everyone is on board with this plan. Political experts warn it could harm Zimbabwe’s democracy. Analyst Pardon Taodzera says allowing Mnangagwa a third term would “break the rules of democracy” and could create chaos. Legal expert Aaron Hamauswa added that removing term limits could set a “dangerous example” for the country’s future.
There’s also the military angle. The Zimbabwe Democracy Institute, a think tank, believes the military will have a significant say in whether Mnangagwa stays or goes. “Even if the civilians push for this change, the military will play a key role in deciding who leads,” they said.
Meanwhile, rumors are swirling about Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, a former army general. Some think he might want to run for president in 2028, which could create a fierce battle within Zanu PF. Chiwenga hasn’t said anything publicly about his plans, but insiders are watching closely.
Source: Newsday
