By Staff Reporter
Harare – Despite President Emmerson Mnangagwa repeatedly declaring that he will not seek a third term, his close allies have revealed plans that suggest otherwise.
A recandled growing push to extend his tenure to 2030, beyond the constitutional limit is now sparking fierce political battles within Zanu PF.
The contentious proposal to extend Mnangagwa’s presidency from 2028 to 2030 dubbed a “backdoor” bid by critics, has intensified, with Mnangagwa’s political allies rallying in support of the move.
Key Zanu PF provinces, including Harare, Masvingo, and Mashonaland East, have reignited calls for Mnangagwa to remain in power until 2030.
Newly appointed State Security Minister and close Mnangagwa ally, Lovemore Matuke, stated that the party would not relent in its efforts to secure an extended stay for the president.
According to party insiders, Mnangagwa convened a meeting over the weekend with loyalists at his Precabe Farm in Kwekwe.
During the meeting, supporters were reportedly granted permission to promote the slogan “2030 Mnangagwa Anenge Achitonga” (“Mnangagwa will still be ruling in 2030”), a chant that has deepened divisions within the party as succession battles rage on.
Sources indicated that the meeting also focused on strategies to counter Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s anticipated bid for the presidency ahead of Zanu PF’s elective congress in 2027.
The rift between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga continues to dominate internal party politics, with both factions vying for control.
Former cabinet ministers and exiled G40 faction leaders, Walter Mzembi and Saviour Kasukuwere, have criticized the push to extend Mnangagwa’s term. Mzembi warned that such moves could backfire, describing the pursuit of power as both “sweet and dangerous.”
“Somehow ‘2030 VaMnangagwa vanenge vachitonga’ is a fatal attraction of sorts.
“It’s power sweet and dangerous at the same time,” said Mzembi.
“Safety in numbers and mob psychology kind of creates a sense of invincibility for those pushing this agenda, just as the mob that condemned Jesus and reprieved Barabbas,” added Mzembi.
Mzembi insisted that the sooner the Zanu PF succession crisis was brought to a Referendum the better for national progress, citing that partisan meetings at this stage were very toxic for those outside the brawling Mngangagwa and Chiwenga factions.
Kasukuwere, however, emphasized that 2025 would be a pivotal year for Zanu PF factional battles, attributing the party’s current divisions to the fallout from winning a contested election without presenting a clear manifesto.
“2025 Let it be the Year of The People.
“Take back power from individuals and restore authority back to the people,” said Kasukuwere.
“When a party ‘wins’ an election without a manifesto the 2030 madness becomes the objective.
“We should steer forward now,” added Kasukuwere.
As internal strife within Zanu PF intensifies over calls to extend Mnangagwa’s tenure, it remains uncertain how the party leadership will navigate its deepening divisions.
With the 2027 congress approaching and growing public discontent among Zanu PF’s leadership, the push for a third term could mark a turning point in Zimbabwe’s political landscape.
