MNANGAGWA SUPPORTERS PUSH FOR THIRD TERM DESPITE CONSTITUTIONAL LIMITS

Despite President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s public statements that he will not extend his presidency beyond his second term, his supporters are still pushing for him to stay in power longer. This has raised concerns that the constitution, which only allows two terms for a president, might be ignored or changed to let Mnangagwa stay in office.

One of the people leading this push is Owen “Mudha” Ncube. Ncube is an important political figure in Mnangagwa’s home province of Midlands. He is also the Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister of State. At a recent rally in Shurugwi, Ncube was seen shouting that Mnangagwa would remain in power until at least 2030, even though Mnangagwa’s term is set to end in 2028. This rally shows that there is strong support from Mnangagwa’s loyalists to keep him in power, even if it goes against the constitution.

Mnangagwa’s son, Collins Takunda, also joined in the rally with Ncube. Collins, along with his twin brother Sean Tafadzwa, is part of Mnangagwa’s close family circle. His involvement in these events shows that Mnangagwa’s supporters include not just political allies but also his family, strengthening his control over the government.

However, not everyone in Mnangagwa’s party agrees with the idea of extending his time in office. Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, who is supported by a group within the ruling Zanu PF party that has ties to the military, is strongly against any attempt to let Mnangagwa stay beyond his second term. Chiwenga and his supporters believe that Mnangagwa should follow the constitution and step down when his term ends in 2028, or even earlier. This disagreement shows that there are serious tensions within the ruling party itself.

These internal conflicts reflect a bigger issue in Zimbabwean politics, where personal ambitions often clash with the rules of the constitution. The debate over whether Mnangagwa will seek a third term is important because it will test the strength of Zimbabwe’s democracy. After the long rule of Robert Mugabe, who often changed the rules to stay in power, many people are watching to see if the country will stick to its democratic values.

Legal experts and political analysts are carefully watching these events. Any move to change the constitution to allow Mnangagwa a third term could set a bad example for future presidents. It could weaken the country’s democracy and lead to more political problems, like the ones Zimbabwe faced in the past under Mugabe.

The international community is also watching these developments closely. Western countries and human rights groups, which have had problems with Zimbabwe before over elections and human rights abuses, might see any changes to the constitution as a step backward. This could lead to new sanctions and make Zimbabwe even more isolated, which would be a big problem for a country already struggling with economic issues.

The people of Zimbabwe also have an important role in this situation. In recent years, Zimbabweans have been speaking out more about their rights and the need for a government that listens to them. How they respond to the possibility of Mnangagwa extending his presidency will have a big impact on the country’s future. If many people demand that the government follow the constitution, it could create strong pressure on the leadership to stick to democratic rules.

As Zimbabwe moves closer to the 2028 elections, the actions of Mnangagwa, his supporters, and his opponents will be very important for the country’s future. Will Zimbabwe continue to build a stable, democratic government, or will it fall back into old patterns of bending the rules to keep leaders in power? The next few years will be a big test for Zimbabwe’s commitment to democracy and the rule of law. Everyone is watching to see what happens next.