Women, children suffer as Govt evicts families

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…While ED’s third term campaign kicks off from the ground

…As Villagers Regret Voting For Mnangagwa

In a resolute stance against the Government of Zimbabwe’s heavy-handed tactics, Women in Governance and Peace building (WIGP) has fiercely condemned the arbitrary arrests and forced land evictions ravaging Masvingo Province,in especially affecting women and children.

The organization stands firm in denouncing these egregious actions, highlighting the profound humanitarian crisis they’ve spurred.

The recent wave of forced land evictions and house demolitions orchestrated by the Zimbabwean government in Masvingo Province has inflicted irreparable harm on countless women and children within the affected communities.

These heart-wrenching events represent a blatant violation of fundamental human rights and a glaring display of the government’s callous disregard for the welfare of its own people.

The fallout from these coercive measures has left numerous women and children homeless, stripped of their possessions, and deprived of their means of subsistence. Such wanton disregard for the basic dignities of life starkly underscores the government’s failure to uphold its obligations to its citizens.

Women in Governance and Peacebuilding urgently calls upon the Government of Zimbabwe to halt all forced evictions immediately and to extend comprehensive support and compensation to those grievously impacted.

Moreover, the organization implores the authorities to initiate meaningful dialogue with the affected communities, seeking amicable and sustainable resolutions to the land disputes.

In solidarity with the suffering women and children of Masvingo Province, Women in Governance and Peacebuilding issues a clarion call to the international community, urging collective condemnation of these barbaric actions.

It is imperative that we unite efforts to safeguard the rights and well-being of all individuals, particularly those most vulnerable in society.Justice and accountability must prevail.

Women in Governance and Peacebuilding demands swift redress for the victims of forced evictions and demolitions in Masvingo Province.

The egregious violations perpetrated against innocent civilians cannot go unpunished, and it is incumbent upon all stakeholders to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable for their actions.

Villagers evicted from a settlement near Great Zimbabwe Monuments under Chief Mugabe have said that they regret voting for Zanu PF in last year’s general election alleging that the party is reneging on its land and farm security promises.

A Zanu PF lawmaker on Wednesday said Zanu PF had “offered” President Emmerson Mnangagwa a third term in office after several party officials chanted a slogan that the 81-year-old “will still be there in 2030.”

Mnangagwa began his second and final term after winning disputed elections last August, but there is a new push among his loyalists to amend the constitution to scrap term limits.

The amendment would require affirmation by two thirds of lawmakers in the National Assembly, and again in the Senate. Even then, the constitution says the incumbent cannot benefit from an amendment to a term limit provision, requiring movers of such a plan to take it to a public referendum.

“Zanu PF Masvingo province today offered President ED Mnangagwa a third term in office as president of Zimbabwe,” Bikita South MP Energy Mutodi wrote on X while attending Youth Day celebrations at Mushagashe Training Centre in Masvingo, attended by Mnangagwa.

He added: “Amid cheers, whistling and ululations, the provincial chairman Robson Mavhenyengwa chanted the slogan ‘2030 vaMnangagwa vanenge vachipo!’ to a deafening applause.”

Vice President Kembo Mohadi, who took to the podium to introduce Mnangagwa, also repeated the slogan.

“Your Excellency, before I invite you to take the podium, I was thrilled by the new slogan. Allow me to chant the slogan,” Mohadi said.

Mnangagwa’s second and final term expires in 2028, and the slogan’s crafters appear to be suggesting that he will be well into his third term in 2030.

Mnangagwa made reference to the new slogan during his speech, remarking: “Those saying Mnangagwa will be there in 2030, was there any suggestion that I won’t be there? Only one person knows when I’m going, and that’s Jehovah.”

In a 2018 interview with CNN, months after coming to power through a military coup, Mnangagwa said he would respect the constitution and serve just two terms.

“The maximum is two terms, for any president, and I will abide by that,” Mnangagwa said.

In another interview with Zimpapers Television Network ahead of the August 2023 elections, Mnangagwa said: “I am going for my second term, this is my last term.”

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who is on a trip to Russia and missed Wednesday’s event, is the frontrunner to replace Mnangagwa as Zanu PF’s leader. Attempts to extend Mnangagwa’s time in office would rile his supporters and stoke factionalism in Zanu PF.

Explainer: Hurdles to Extending Mnangagwa’s Time in Office

Under section 328(5) of the constitution, a Bill to amend the Constitution must be passed by a two-thirds majority of the National Assembly and the Senate before it becomes law. In addition, if the Bill seeks to amend the Declaration of Rights or Chapter 16 (which relates to agricultural land) it must be approved at a national referendum before it can become law.

Section 91(2) is not part of the Declaration of Rights nor does it fall within Chapter 16 of the Constitution, so it can be amended by a two-thirds majority of both Houses of Parliament to remove the presidential term-limits.

Section 328(7) of the Constitution provides that an amendment to a term-limit provision ‒ and section 91(2) is a term-limit provision ‒ which has the effect of extending the length of time that a person can hold a public office such as the presidency does not apply to anyone who held that office, or an equivalent office, before the amendment. This means that even if two-thirds of the members of Parliament were to pass a Bill extending or revoking the term limits imposed by section 91(2) of the Constitution, the Bill would not permit President Mnangagwa to stand for a third term in office.

The only way to permit him to stand for a third term would be to repeal section 328(7), but this would require a national referendum in addition to a two-thirds majority in Parliament: see section 328(9).

Mnangagwa Here To Stay, Zanu PF Activist Declares: Declares Mnangagwa Will Be In Office 2030

The political landscape of Zimbabwe often feels like a theatrical stage where drama unfolds daily, leaving citizens questioning the competence and integrity of their leaders.

The recent statement by a ZANU PF activist advocating for the extension of Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term of office until 2030 is yet another episode in this ongoing saga.

In any democratic society, the constitution serves as the cornerstone, outlining the fundamental principles and guidelines for governance.

However, it seems that for some within ZANU PF, the constitution is more of a hindrance than a document to uphold.

The push for the extension of Mnangagwa’s term blatantly disregards the constitutional provisions regarding presidential term limits, raising concerns about the party’s commitment to democratic principles.

A video circulating on social media captures the fervent plea of a ZANU PF activist, calling for Mnangagwa’s prolonged stay in power.

This level of flawed thinking within ZANU PF brings the question: Are the party’s actions driven by strategic planning or mere whims?

It’s no secret that politics often revolves around power dynamics, with leaders maneuvering to secure their positions of authority.

The push for Mnangagwa’s extended term could be interpreted as a move to consolidate power within ZANU PF, ensuring continuity and control.

However, such maneuvers risk alienating the populace and undermining the very principles of democracy that Zimbabweans strive to uphold.

Amidst the clamor for power and tenure extension, voices of reason must not be silenced.

Citizens have a duty to hold their leaders accountable, demanding adherence to the rule of law and respect for democratic institutions.

The call for Mnangagwa to step down at the end of his constitutionally mandated term reflects a desire for transparency, fairness, and genuine leadership within Zimbabwean politics.

In the grand narrative of Zimbabwean politics, the question of whether ZANU PF is full of dunderheads is subjective, with opinions varying based on personal experiences and observations.

However, what remains undisputed is the need for ethical leadership, adherence to the rule of law, and respect for democratic principles.

As Zimbabwe navigates its political future, the actions and decisions of its leaders will ultimately determine whether the label of “dunderheads” holds true or if a legacy of visionary governance can be established for generations to come.

Push For ED Third Term : NEW Zanu PF SLOGAN

Masvingo Provincial Chairman Cde Robson Mavhenyengwa chanted the slogan “2030 – vaMnangagwa vanenge vachipo” pic.twitter.com/eA7vblwTYN

— 🇿🇼 ZANU PF PATRIOTS 🇿🇼 (@zanupf_patriots) February 21, 2024