By Paul Nyathi| President elect Emmerson Mnangagwa has hinted that he will seek re-election for another term in office when he completes his first five year term in 2023.

Speaking in an interview with the BBC after the disputed elections held on the 30th of July where he was declared winner, Mnangagwa said he would respect the Constitution on Presidential term limits saying he does not wish to extend his Presidency beyond two terms of five years each provided for by the Constitution.

“Perfectly and I always say that I will obey the spirit of the Constitution to the letter. If I am elected for a second term, I will do my second term but I cannot go beyond that,” he said.

According to the Constitution which was adopted in 2013 the presidential terms are limited to a maximum of two five year terms.

Mnangagwa first ascended to the helm of the country’s presidency in November 2017 following the forced resignation of former President Robert Mugabe in what analysts described as one of Africa’s historic “soft coups”.

Mnangagwa served eight months of Mugabe’s remaining term which did not constitute a term of office for him.