Local Government Minister and Zanu-PF Mashonaland East chairperson, Daniel Garwe, has sparked outrage and debate after declaring that the nation will not go to the polls in 2028, insisting elections will only resume in 2030.
Speaking at a party district coordinating meeting, Garwe thundered“There is no election. We’re going to 2030 building the country… we’re unstoppable.”
His remarks, delivered with a sense of finality, underline the ruling party’s drive to align political timelines with its Vision 2030 economic agenda.
Garwe framed the suspension of elections as a necessary step to allow Emmerson Mnangagwa to “finish the job,” brushing aside growing speculation of a clandestine bid for a third term.
“We want him to take us to 2030; we did not say we want a third term,” he emphasized.
Garwe went further, suggesting that current MPs, senators, and councillors could simply remain in office until 2030, unless they chose to resign and trigger by-elections.
The pronouncement has triggered fresh concerns about constitutional overreach, with critics warning that any attempt to defer elections would amount to a direct assault on Zimbabwe’s fragile democracy. Legal experts note that such a move would require significant constitutional amendments, and warn it risks pushing the country into uncharted political waters.
