Zanu PF’s Internal Battle Over Mnangagwa’s 2030 Agenda Deepens

Zimbabwe’s ruling Zanu PF party faces fresh turmoil as internal rifts widen over efforts to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s rule to 2030. This is a conflict threatening to tear the party apart.

Midlands and Masvingo provinces, strongholds for Mnangagwa, are spearheading the push for constitutional amendments. These moves would extend his term despite his previous public assertions about respecting the constitutional two-term limit.

The Constitution, however, remains a significant hurdle. Even if amended, it prevents the current officeholder from benefiting. This provision adds complexity to the brewing succession crisis.

Critics within the party, alongside civil voices, doubt Mnangagwa’s sincerity in stepping down in 2028. Publicly, he has pledged to retire, but key allies and behind-the-scenes maneuvers suggest otherwise.

Suspended COZWA leader Munyaradzi Shoko has emerged as a vocal critic of Mnangagwa’s 2030 agenda. His outspoken opposition has prompted party loyalists to organize protests, with activists like Chaplain Chirume confirming that actions are being planned against Shoko.

Tensions continue to simmer. Midlands, in particular, is a flashpoint, with pro-Mnangagwa factions preparing to counter dissenting voices. Yet, it’s the underlying question of leadership succession and constitutional respect that fuels this ongoing battle.

Chirume’s statement reflects the intensity within Zanu PF. “We will oppose anyone who attacks our leader and party,” he said, echoing the sentiments of many Mnangagwa loyalists committed to ensuring his continued leadership, come what may.

Zanu PF spokesperson Farai Marapira dismissed Shoko’s claims, insisting that the party’s internal matters are not for public discussion. “We have one center of power: President Mnangagwa,” he emphasized, aligning with the faction pushing for the 2030 extension.

The controversy underscores the extent to which Mnangagwa’s 2030 agenda has divided the ruling party. On one side, loyalists argue it’s essential for stability. On the other, critics like Shoko warn that violating the Constitution undermines Zimbabwe’s democracy.

Shoko, expelled from Zanu PF, faces mounting threats but remains undeterred. “My life is in danger, but I will not be silenced. We must defend the Constitution,” he remarked, emphasizing his position on the national stage.

At its core, the 2030 debate reveals deeper power struggles within Zanu PF. The party’s cell restructuring exercise exposed widening cracks between Mnangagwa and his deputy, Constantino Chiwenga. Both men’s loyalists have been vying for control over key party structures.

Mnangagwa’s rise to power in 2017 came through a military coup, ousting longtime ruler Robert Mugabe. Back then, Mnangagwa positioned himself as a defender of constitutionalism. Yet now, his allies’ efforts to extend his presidency cast doubt on that pledge.

Next week’s annual Zanu PF conference in Bulawayo promises to be a significant moment for the party. While officially focused on policy, all eyes will be on the growing succession debate and whether Mnangagwa’s 2030 aspirations will spark deeper divisions.

For Zimbabwe, the question of Mnangagwa’s extended presidency reaches beyond internal party politics. It touches on the broader national issue of constitutional governance. Will Zanu PF honor the Constitution, or will power politics override the law?

The stakes are high, not just for Zanu PF’s future but for the country as a whole. Zimbabwe’s political landscape could shift dramatically depending on the outcome of these internal power plays.

As the nation watches, the question remains: is the 2030 agenda simply a Zanu PF issue, or does it threaten the very foundation of Zimbabwe’s democratic system?

While the internal dynamics continue to play out, both supporters and detractors of Mnangagwa’s extended presidency will likely intensify their efforts. The coming weeks and months could well decide the future course of Zimbabwean politics, with significant implications for the country’s stability and constitutional integrity.

Mnangagwa’s supporters appear determined to push the 2030 agenda forward, but opposition—within and outside Zanu PF—remains resolute. The party, and indeed the nation, faces a defining moment.

The Zim Bulletin