Midlands vows to force ED to rule until 2030

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GWERU – Despite President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s repeated assurances that he will step down in 2028 in accordance with the constitution, his home province of Midlands is openly defying him, vowing to continue pushing for an extension of his term of office until 2030.

President Mnangagwa has attempted to distance himself from the controversial “2030 agenda,” reiterating his commitment to respecting the constitutional two-term limit during a recent meeting with local editors. This is not the first time the President has publicly stated his intention to relinquish power in 2028.

However, Mnangagwa has notably refrained from publicly rebuking loyalists who have emerged as vocal proponents of the 2030 agenda, including ministers Owen Ncube, Daniel Garwe, and Tatenda Mavetera. This silence has fuelled speculation about his true intentions and cast doubt on the sincerity of his commitment to constitutionalism.

While President Mnangagwa attempted to quell growing opposition to the term extension plot during his meeting with editors, he remained silent on what measures he would take to ensure his loyalists and Zanu PF abandon the 2030 resolution adopted at the party’s annual conference in Bulawayo last year.

Seizing on this apparent loophole, Mnangagwa’s loyalists have doubled down on their efforts to promote the 2030 agenda.

Midlands Provincial Affairs Minister Owen Ncube, addressing war veterans at the launch of a residential stands scheme in Gweru, declared that there was “no going back” on the term extension plan.

“Fellow Comrades, I assure you that the Midlands province remains steadfast, resolute and unwavering in support of Resolution number 1 overwhelmingly endorsed by all the country’s 10 provinces in Bulawayo last year mandating His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe Cde Dr E D Mnangagwa to lead the nation towards attainment of our National Vision 2030,” Ncube stated.

Ncube, also known as “Touch Bomber” due to his history of violence, further praised Mnangagwa’s leadership, stating: “It is, therefore, befitting that our nation takes pride in the people-oriented leadership of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde Dr E D Mnangagwa himself was a decorated freedom fighter who trained in Tanzania, Egypt and The People’s Republic of China and survived the death penalty on a legal technicality.”

Ncube’s unwavering support for the 2030 agenda is particularly notable given his history of alleged human rights abuses. He was placed on the United States sanctions list due to what Washington says is credible information of his involvement in “gross violations of human rights.”

The defiance of Mnangagwa’s home province was further underscored during the national youth day celebrations held in Bulawayo. A group of intoxicated Zanu PF youth members sang songs in favour of the 2030 agenda, chanting “Tisu takavavatuma kutungamira till 2030 …. Ngwena (a nickname for the President) yawinha” (We are the ones who sent them to lead until 2030… Ngwena has won). Mnangagwa, who addressed the gathering, made no mention of the 2030 plot in his speech.

Analysts have expressed skepticism about Mnangagwa’s sincerity in disavowing a term extension, given his silence on his loyalists’ open defiance of the constitution.

Bulawayo-based political analyst Methuseli Moyo stated that Mnangagwa can only be taken seriously when Zanu PF issues a formal statement acknowledging the President’s stated position. “Continuing clamouring for the president to continue till 2030 fuels the speculation and mistrust about what the president said,” Moyo said. “Until the party or the president himself rebuked them emphatically, the speculation and mistrust will persist.”

Moyo emphasized the importance of a clear and unambiguous message to ensure a smooth transition of power in 2028. “Succession politics has a tendency to be destabilising and clandestine if not well managed,” he said. “There is never a right time to choose a successor. Once it becomes clear and certain president Mnangagwa is going in 2028, the pretenders will come out in the open.”

Commentator Rejoice Ngwenya echoed similar sentiments, stating that it will “take a miracle to believe him” when Mnangagwa says he will step down in 2028. “He has not come out guns blazing to admonish his rampaging bootlickers,” Ngwenya said. “Yes, the current Constitution limits him to two terms but then an amended Constitution can also legitimise his extended term in office. National sentiment is against this 2030 nonsense and if the voice of the people is the voice of God, then Emmerson Mnangagwa ought to listen to God.”

Political analyst Pedzisai Ruhanya argued that Zanu PF succession politics have historically been determined by the “deep state.” “If the balance of forces is of the view that the 2030 is not desirable in respect of their position in terms of national state security, that position will be dropped,” Ruhanya said.

“Zanu PF has never in its history determined the politics of transition in the party. The political of transition from a historical perspective is a preserve of the security apparatus, particularly the military as seen in 2002, 2008 and 2017, so we laugh when we see the likes of the ICT minister (Mavetera) singing and gyrating in support of the 2030 agenda.”

The conflicting messages emanating from President Mnangagwa and his loyalists have created a climate of uncertainty and speculation. As the 2028 election draws closer, the question of whether Mnangagwa will truly step down, or if his supporters will succeed in their efforts to extend his rule, remains a central and highly contentious issue in Zimbabwean politics.