from MARCUS MUSHONGA in Harare, Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe Bureau
HARARE, (CAJ News) – THE imminent extension of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term as head of state and party by two years is a violation of Zimbabwe’s constitution and exposes the ruling party to a potentially bloody power struggle reminiscent of the military coup that deposed Robert Mugabe in 2017.
Mnangagwa eventually came to power after the military exercise masterminded by the then defence chief, Constantino Chiwenga.
A reported gentleman’s agreement was that after serving his mandated two terms, Mnangagwa will make way for Chiwenga in the hotseat, but the two men have fallen out publicly over the succession plan as Mnangagwa’s faction backed by controversially rich businesspeople, reneges on the agreement.
The president has in recent weeks decimated the Chiwenga faction, axing party leaders loyal to the former military general. Those with military experience have been targeted, in a move to weaken Chiwenga’s influence in the ex-liberation movement that has ruled from independence in 1980.
Thus, the power struggle rocking ZANU-PF is reminiscent of the 2017 coup, when Mugabe (now late) expelled liberation veteran Mnangagwa and sidelined the uniformed forces, in a bid to pave way for then First Lady, Grace Mugabe, to succeed him.
This past weekend, ZANU-PF held its 22nd National People’s Conference in the historic eastern city of Mutare, bordering Mozambique amid tensions.
The highlight of the resolutions reached was to extend the president’s term from 2028 to 2030. This would bypass the two-term limit. Despite the prevailing economic problems, Mnangagwa’s faction believes he is doing a commendable job, hence he deserves an extension.
The party has directed the government dominated by ZANU-PF to amend the law within a year, reaffirming a resolution first passed at last year’s conference.
The extension of Mnangagwa’s term in office should be implemented “without fail.”
“To oppose such would be gross misconduct,” said Ziyambi Ziyambi, ZANU-PF Secretary for Legal Affairs.
A pushback by the military-backed Chiwenga faction, as was the case in 2017, would be a new headache to the African Union (AU) and Southern African Development Community (SADC), which is reeling from last week’s military coup in Madagascar.
“This is not going to turn out well, not for Mnangagwa, not for ZANU-PF and most of all, not for the Zimbabwean people,” Marisa Lourenço, independent political analyst and risk consultant, said.
Top advocate, Thabani Mpofu described the resolution to extend Mnangagwa’s term as “an illegal and unrepentant piece of political buffoonery.”
“The real treachery, however, lies in the role of the pseudo‑opposition in its conception, passage and imminent debate in Parliament.”
ZANU-PF enjoys a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly.
The opposition is at its lowest point after infiltration by ZANU-PF.
The tactic to infiltrate the opposition worked too in 2017 during the coup.
Ahead of the coup, it was evident Mnangagwa’s faction had gained an upper hand over Chiwenga’s.
Chiwenga, seen as an anti-corruption advocate within the party, resonates with a majority of ordinary Zimbabweans more than Mnangagwa, who on the other hand is wealthy and accused of illegally amassing more wealth since he came to power.
A clique of excessively rich businessmen is within Mnangagwa’s ally and influential in ZANU-PF.
Cars were distributed like confetti to senior party officials prior to the conference.
Among these businessmen is Kudakwashe Tagwireyi (56), who has emerged as Mnangagwa’s preferred successor in a ploy to end Chiwenga’s chances.
Tagwirei has finally been co-opted into the Central Committee, ZANU-PF’s supreme decision-making body, despite Chiwenga (69) opposing the move.
The declaration that September 15, the birthday of Mnangagwa (83), as a public holiday illustrates his, his family’s and allies’ stranglehold on Zimbabwe.
Robert Gabriel Mugabe National Youth Day, February 21 is the only public holiday named in honour of an individual.
– CAJ News