By Victor Fanuel
HARARE — Zanu PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa has delivered a blunt message to ruling party members harbouring presidential ambitions, urging them to shelve their aspirations and rally behind President Emmerson Mnangagwa amid growing debate over succession and proposed constitutional changes.
Addressing journalists in Harare, Mutsvangwa said while ambition was a normal feature of politics, those positioning themselves to succeed Mnangagwa should exercise patience because the incumbent remained firmly in charge and enjoyed overwhelming support within Zanu PF.
“If you have ambitions as a faction or whoever is trying to take over from him, just wait for 2030,” Mutsvangwa said, in remarks widely interpreted as directed at senior party figures believed to be eyeing the country’s highest office.
He said Mnangagwa’s leadership remained uncontested within the ruling party and urged members to focus on national development rather than internal power struggles.
In characteristic fashion, Mutsvangwa said aspiring leaders should temporarily tuck their ambitions “under the armpit”, arguing that every politician would eventually get an opportunity when the appropriate time arrived.
The remarks come at a time when debate is intensifying over the controversial Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill, which seeks far-reaching changes to the country’s governance framework, including extending presidential and parliamentary terms and altering the manner in which future presidents are elected.
Mutsvangwa insisted that discussions surrounding the proposed legislation should be left to constitutional institutions, including Parliament, the Executive and the Judiciary, while Zanu PF members continue backing their incumbent leader.
He expressed confidence that the bill would pass through Parliament despite criticism from opposition parties, civil society groups and some dissenting voices within and outside the ruling party.
Mutsvangwa further argued that public consultations on the bill had reinforced support for the party’s resolution backing Mnangagwa’s continued leadership beyond 2028.
His comments are likely to fuel further speculation over succession politics within Zanu PF, where discussions about the post-Mnangagwa era have increasingly surfaced despite repeated calls by party leaders to maintain unity behind Mnangagwa.
While Mutsvangwa did not name any individuals, his remarks come against a backdrop of persistent reports of factional manoeuvring within the ruling party as senior figures position themselves for influence ahead of the next phase of Zimbabwe’s political transition.
