By Political Reporter- A fresh power struggle is brewing within Zimbabwe’s ruling Zanu PF, as the party pushes to amend the Constitution to block Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s rise to the presidency in 2028.
The new agenda, spearheaded by Zanu PF’s Secretary for National Security, Lovemore Matuke, aims to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s rule beyond the two-term limit.
Matuke did not mince words about the party’s intentions, dismissing any notion that the Constitution would stand in their way. “I’ve heard people talking about the Constitution, what it purportedly stipulates, and that is your feeling. But remember, we’ve made amendments before, and this Constitution is not cast in stone,” he said during a Zanu PF meeting in the Midlands. “If we can change the Constitution to suit what we want, we’ll do it without any apologies. Don’t let people lie to you.”
Mnangagwa’s current term is set to expire in 2028, but there’s growing pressure within Zanu PF for him to remain in power, a move widely seen as an effort to prevent Chiwenga from taking over.
Initially, all provinces endorsed the call for Mnangagwa to continue his presidency beyond the constitutional limit.
However, the military, which backed Chiwenga last week, forced a dramatic U-turn.
Military leaders reportedly threatened a coup if the pro-Mnangagwa campaign wasn’t dropped, causing Mnangagwa’s allies to swiftly retreat.
Zanu PF’s national political commissar, Munyaradzi Machacha, confirmed the sudden halt to the Mnangagwa 2030 campaign, but framed it as a response to democracy at work. “Isn’t this what you term democracy? If we remain silent, you say there’s no democracy. If others speak, you question it. The people are talking, and the President is listening to their wishes,” Machacha said. “The people know the Constitution, but they also want his leadership to continue. It’s now up to him to decide.”
The push to extend Mnangagwa’s rule has ignited fierce debate, with political analysts warning that any amendment to the Constitution would not only violate democratic principles but also set a dangerous precedent.
The coming months are likely to be a pivotal moment in Zimbabwe’s political future, as factions within Zanu PF vie for control.