Zanu PF’s plans to keep Mnangagwa in office beyond 2028 have sparked a wave of violence

Darlington Gatsi

An ambitious plan to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term in office beyond the constitutional two terms has sparked a wave of violence and intimidation, a recent report has revealed.

Although Mnangagwa has said he will respect the constitution and step down after his current and final term, some in the ruling party are pushing for the octogenarian to stay in power.

Several officials, including former cabinet ministers Supa Mandiwanzira and Owen Ncube, have called in their respective provinces for Mnangagwa to rule the country beyond 2028.

This is contrary to the party’s resolution at this year’s conference in Bulawayo, which declared that Mnangagwa was serving his final term as president.

A recent report by the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) revealed that those opposed to Mnangagwa’s term extension have faced violence from Zanu PF officials in the Midlands province.

“Several incidents of intimidation have included harassment of prominent political activists by Zanu PF supporters focused on promoting the ‘ED2030’ campaign, which seeks to extend President Mnangagwa’s rule beyond 2028. Incidents were reported in Chivundur and Kwekwe, among other areas. »

“In Chivunduri, Zanu PF activists Calvin Mondiwa, Forbes Choto and Adam Dliwayo threatened a man who belonged to former CCC leader Nelson Chamisa’s support group. They allegedly harassed him for campaigning against the ongoing Mnangagwa after 2028 movement, promising to deal with the victim brutally and extending such treatment to anyone who opposes the campaign,” the report said.

Zanu PF should amend sections 91(2) and 382(7) of the constitution to allow Mnangagwa to extend his term.

The ZPP called on the police to take action on the allegations leveled against Zanu PF officials.

“The ZRP should take concrete measures to prevent and investigate incidents of violence, especially those related to the ED2030 campaign. The police must also ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice and victims are adequately protected,” the ZPP said.