Mahiya dismisses Geza as a misguided element

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Harare, Zimbabwe – Zanu-PF and a faction of war veterans have doubled down on their support for contentious resolutions passed at the party’s 21st Annual National People’s Conference, including the proposal to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term beyond 2028. The move has sparked heated debate within the party and drawn mixed reactions from the public.

The resolution, which seeks to amend the constitution to allow Mnangagwa to remain in office until 2030, was unanimously endorsed at the conference held in Bulawayo last October. Zanu-PF officials argue that the extension is necessary to enable the President to complete his vision of transforming Zimbabwe into an Upper Middle-Income Society by 2030.

However, the decision has faced opposition from another faction of war veterans led by Cde Blessing Runesu Geza, who have been accused of undermining the party’s unity. War Veterans Association Secretary, Cde Douglas Mahiya, dismissed the dissenting group as “misguided elements” advancing a “foreign agenda.”

“Cde Geza’s sentiments do not represent the position of war veterans. They are advancing the interests of their handlers, who are yet to be identified. This is a foreign agenda meant to cause disharmony within the party,” Mahiya stated in an interview in Harare.

Mahiya emphasized that the War Veterans League, as a wing of Zanu-PF, must abide by decisions made at the party’s conference or congress. “Once a decision is made at the conference or congress, war veterans cannot oppose it. The decision of the majority will stand,” he said.

Mashonaland East Zanu-PF provincial chairman Cde Daniel Garwe echoed Mahiya’s sentiments, asserting that “rogue elements” expelled from the party, such as Godwin Gomwe and Godfrey Tsenengamu, would not derail the people’s will.

“Whether they like it or not, whether they like the President or not, whether they denigrate the President or not, it will not stop the extension of President Mnangagwa’s term of office beyond 2028,” Garwe said.

The government has already begun implementing resolutions from the conference, which cover areas such as economic development, poverty eradication, infrastructure, and climate change. However, the most contentious resolution remains the proposed constitutional amendment to extend Mnangagwa’s term.

Justice, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi outlined the legislative process required for the amendment, stating that it would follow normal procedures, including nationwide consultations.

“Once issues arise that require legislative interventions, the relevant legislative process will be initiated. The normal process of coming up with principles for consideration by Cabinet will be done, followed by the drafting of the Bill,” Ziyambi explained.

Public Reactions on Social Media

The proposal has sparked widespread debate on social media, with Zimbabweans expressing divergent views. Here are five recent public responses:

@TendaiMoyo: “Extending Mnangagwa’s term is a step backward for democracy. We need fresh leadership, not recycled ideas. #ZimbabweDeservesBetter”
@PatrioticSon: “If extending the President’s term means achieving Vision 2030, then I’m all for it. Let’s give him the chance to finish what he started. #ED2030”
@RuvimboT: “This is just a ploy to cling to power. How can we trust the same leaders who have failed us for decades? #NoToTermExtension”
@ComradeZim: “The war veterans’ faction opposing this move is brave. We need more voices to stand up against this dictatorship. #StandWithGeza”
@ChidoM: “Whether you like Mnangagwa or not, the reality is that Zimbabwe needs stability. Let’s focus on development, not politics. #ZimbabweFirst”

As the debate intensifies, the resolution to extend Mnangagwa’s term is likely to remain a polarizing issue, with implications for Zimbabwe’s political and constitutional future.