As whispers grow louder within the corridors of ZANU PF about extending President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s stay in office beyond 2030, Zimbabweans face a stark reality: this push is more than unconstitutional—it’s a betrayal of the foundational principles of our democracy.
Zimbabwe’s 2013 Constitution, ratified by millions in a national referendum, explicitly limits the presidency to two five-year terms. There are no exceptions. No compensation clauses. No pandemic-induced loopholes. Yet, loyalists like Daniel Garwe have circulated a damaging narrative that Mnangagwa’s tenure should be extended due to the so-called “lost years” caused by Cyclone Idai and COVID-19 disruptions. This line of reasoning is not only insulting to Zimbabweans’ intelligence but poses a grave threat to democratic rule. Leadership during crises is a test of governance, not an excuse to suspend constitutional order. If every leader worldwide demanded bonus terms due to unforeseen calamities, democracy itself would crumble.
Adding to the troubling political calculus is Wicknell Chivayo’s recent donation of US$4 million, including luxury vehicles and cash, to ZANU PF provincial chairpersons. The timing, coinciding with Mnangagwa’s birthday, raises serious questions about intent. This is no mere act of generosity; it is a strategic maneuver aimed at securing influence, access, and protection within a party rife with opaque dealings. Chivayo’s longstanding ties to controversial government contracts fuel suspicion about what he stands to gain in the succession game.
In stark contrast stands General Constantino Chiwenga. His decision to skip the Zvishavane event was no accident or scheduling conflict—it was a deliberate statement. As ZANU PF succumbs to cartelism and patronage, Chiwenga remains a rare figure of principle, resisting sycophancy, corruption, and political manipulation. His stance is a beacon of hope that the party can reclaim its liberation roots rather than descend further into factionalism and opportunism.
Today, ZANU PF is a party at war with itself—a party whose grassroots are disillusioned, whose Constitution is under siege, and whose optics of wealth and power drown out the voices of ordinary Zimbabweans. Should tanks roll on the streets, it will not be because of foreign forces but because the people are fed up with being ignored, exploited, and having their future bargained away for political survival.
Zimbabweans must reject this dangerous fallacy unequivocally: Mnangagwa’s term ends in 2028. Full stop. Any attempt to prolong it is a direct assault on our Constitution, our dignity, and our shared history. General Chiwenga is uniquely positioned to restore order and steer ZANU PF back to its foundational values. He must defend the legacy of liberation, not auction it off to the highest bidder for political expediency.
Let the message be clear: Zimbabwe is not for sale. The Constitution is not negotiable. And the people will not be silenced.
