At its 22nd Annual National People’s Conference, ZANU PF resolved to direct the Government to begin the necessary constitutional and legislative processes to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term in office to 2030. The decision, widely reported by the SundayMail, comes amid strong party support for the President and aims to ensure continuity and stability in Zimbabwe’s governance and developmental agenda.
ZANU PF Secretary for Legal Affairs, Ziyambi Ziyambi, confirmed that the conference had spoken “with one voice,” reiterating the party’s confidence in President Mnangagwa’s leadership and acknowledging the milestones achieved under his tenure.
“On the state of the party, whereas the 21st National People’s Conference of ZANU PF held on 26 October 2024 in Bulawayo, resolved as follows: In recognition of the extensive developmental milestones and the significant socio-economic progress achieved under the leadership of the President and First Secretary of ZANU PF, His Excellency, Dr ED Mnangagwa, it is resolved that his term of office as President of the Republic of Zimbabwe be extended beyond 2028 to 2030,” Ziyambi said.
The directive from the conference mandates both the party and Government to take immediate steps to implement the necessary legal, constitutional, and administrative procedures to realise the term extension before the next National People’s Conference. This includes drafting and passing relevant legislative amendments and ensuring that all institutional processes are aligned with the party’s resolution.
“The party and Government are therefore directed to initiate the requisite legislative amendments to give full effect to this resolution to ensure continuity, stability and the sustained transformation of the nation,” Ziyambi emphasized.
He further noted that the party had expressed concern over delays in executing last year’s directive. “Noting that no notable steps have been taken to implement this resolution, this conference hereby reaffirms this resolution and directs the Secretary of Legal Affairs and the Minister of Justice to ensure that before the 23rd National People’s Conference, this resolution of the party is fully implemented. Furthermore, all organs of the party, including the Central Committee and the Politburo, are directed to ensure that this resolution is fully implemented,” Ziyambi added.
The decision is presented by ZANU PF as a measure to safeguard Zimbabwe’s developmental and economic trajectory. The party argues that extending President Mnangagwa’s tenure will maintain political stability, facilitate the continued implementation of transformation policies, and protect the gains achieved in sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture, mining, and social services.
Supporters of the extension claim that President Mnangagwa’s leadership has brought a period of relative economic recovery and political consolidation following years of turbulence. They argue that continuity in leadership is essential to ensure ongoing reforms and to prevent policy disruptions that could arise from leadership changes.
ZANU PF Directs Government to Begin Process for Extending President Mnangagwa’s Term to 2030
The move also reflects a broader strategy by ZANU PF to centralise governance and consolidate authority in preparation for the next phases of national development planning. By securing President Mnangagwa’s term until 2030, the party seeks to anchor its policy agenda and maintain a consistent trajectory for its socio-economic programs.
Critics, however, have raised concerns that extending a presidential term through party directives may undermine democratic processes and limit opportunities for political plurality. They argue that constitutional amendments should involve wider public debate and not solely reflect party interests.
Despite the debates, the party insists that the extension is necessary for the stability of the nation. Ziyambi highlighted that all organs of the party, from the Central Committee to the Politburo, are accountable for ensuring the resolution’s full implementation, signalling an all-encompassing effort to see the directive through.
The 22nd National People’s Conference resolution represents a critical step in ZANU PF’s roadmap to maintaining uninterrupted leadership under President Mnangagwa. The party has framed the initiative as part of a broader vision for national transformation, ensuring that the progress achieved over recent years is consolidated and that Zimbabwe remains on a path of steady socio-economic growth.
As the Government and party organs commence the legislative and constitutional processes required, all eyes will be on how swiftly and effectively the term extension is realised, and what implications this will have for Zimbabwe’s governance landscape heading into 2030.
Source- iHarare
