The Zanu-PF succession battle is poised to take centre stage once again when the ruling party convenes its annual conference in Mutare next month. At the heart of the debate will be a contentious proposal by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s allies to amend the party and national constitutions, paving the way for him to remain in office beyond the 2028 two-term limit.
Party insiders confirm that the October 13–18 gathering at Mutare Polytechnic will likely serve as the launchpad for formalising what was first floated at last year’s Bulawayo conference. That meeting endorsed a resolution extending Mnangagwa’s leadership until at least 2030, with his supporters now intent on converting that resolution into a binding constitutional amendment.
The matter was tabled during the politburo meeting held on July 2, where senior officials were tasked with working out the legal framework for the extension. Patrick Chinamasa, the Zanu-PF legal affairs secretary, and Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi were instructed to explore the constitutional implications of prolonging Mnangagwa’s stay.
Initially, Chinamasa was said to have been hesitant, citing risks to both the party’s reputation and the country’s democratic credentials. However, sources say he has since shifted his stance, allegedly due to political pressure and his association with businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei, one of Mnangagwa’s most influential backers. Tagwirei is reportedly lobbying for greater influence in the party, including a possible seat in the Central Committee, aligning his ambitions with Mnangagwa’s extended rule.
Mnangagwa allies renew ED2030 pressure
President Mnangagwa has publicly denied having personal ambitions to stay on beyond 2028, often insisting that he respects constitutional term limits. Yet, analysts say his allies’ relentless campaign to keep him in power suggests he is at least tacitly endorsing the effort.
Observers have been quick to highlight the paradox of Mnangagwa’s self-styled image as a constitutionalist, given that he first assumed power in 2017 following a military coup that ousted the late former president Robert Mugabe. His former ally in that coup, Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, is now seen as a potential successor—and a rival whose ambitions could be thwarted if Mnangagwa remains beyond 2028.
Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe, a staunch Mnangagwa loyalist, has been one of the most vocal champions of the ED2030 agenda. Speaking to state media, Garwe said the Mutare conference will be decisive in cementing the President’s long-term leadership.
“When we go to Mutare, me and other provincial chairmen are going to call for the implementation of resolution number one that was adopted last year—that President Mnangagwa should remain the ruling party First Secretary and President until he sees through his vision in 2030 and beyond,” Garwe declared.
He went further, suggesting that elections scheduled for 2028 would not take place, claiming they will be deferred to 2030 once constitutional changes are approved. His remarks have fuelled speculation that Mnangagwa’s camp is determined to consolidate power, even at the expense of democratic processes.
The succession issue has long divided Zanu-PF, with rival camps jostling for influence in anticipation of Mnangagwa’s eventual departure. Chiwenga, who retains strong ties with sections of the military, is widely viewed as harbouring presidential ambitions. His camp is expected to resist moves to extend Mnangagwa’s rule, potentially reigniting the factional battles that plagued the party during the Mugabe era.
Political analysts warn that the Mutare conference could deepen internal fractures. “This is more than just about extending Mnangagwa’s term—it’s about power, resources, and who controls the state machinery going forward. Any move to sideline other contenders is bound to intensify factional rivalries,” said one Harare-based analyst.
The push for ED2030 has sparked debate beyond the party, with critics arguing that extending Mnangagwa’s tenure undermines democratic principles and risks isolating Zimbabwe further on the international stage. Civil society groups have raised concerns about the erosion of constitutionalism, warning that the precedent could entrench authoritarian rule.
Meanwhile, Mnangagwa’s allies frame the proposal as necessary for stability and continuity. They argue that his Vision 2030 agenda—aimed at transforming Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income economy—requires his leadership beyond the 2028 elections to ensure its full realisation.
As the countdown to the Mutare conference begins, the political stakes could not be higher. With manoeuvres already underway in the politburo and provincial structures, Mnangagwa’s allies appear determined to formalise the ED2030 project.
Whether the push succeeds will depend not only on the party’s internal dynamics but also on how Mnangagwa himself navigates the delicate balance between appearing to respect constitutional order while quietly benefitting from its manipulation.
For now, the President remains coy in public, but his allies are making it clear: the battle over Zimbabwe’s political future will reach a critical juncture in Mutare next month.
Source- byo24
