Military Coup Looms Amid Mnangagwa’s 2030 Power Grab
15 January 2025
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By Munacho Gwamanda-Zanu PF is accelerating plans to amend the constitution to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s rule beyond 2028, a move that has heightened tensions within the ruling party and revived coup fears linked to Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s faction.

The latest developments come in the wake of a meeting held at Mnangagwa’s Kwekwe farm on Sunday, where Zanu PF legislators and controversial opposition figure Sengezo Tshabangu, recognized by Zanu PF as the opposition leader in Parliament, endorsed Mnangagwa’s ambitions to remain in power until 2030.

Tshabangu, leading 15 opposition MPs, shocked many by publicly supporting Mnangagwa’s long-term agenda. “His Excellency in the morning said the role of opposition is to criticize constructively so the ruling party can stay in power. If we improve your stay in power and Zimbabweans are happy, let it be,” Tshabangu declared during the gathering.

Zanu PF heavyweights used the event to rally behind Mnangagwa’s extended rule.

Deputy Political Commissar Webster Shamu, known for sycophantic loyalty to former President Robert Mugabe, likened Mnangagwa’s leadership to an irreplaceable force. 

Meanwhile, Mnangagwa loyalist Energy Mutodi described Shamu’s endorsement as a tacit acknowledgement that Mnangagwa’s extended stay is now official policy.

Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi told The Daily News that it’s lawful for Mnangagwa to rule forever.

“The Constitution allows for the deferment of elections if consensus among stakeholders deems it in the national interest.”

The push for constitutional amendments has reignited factional struggles in Zanu PF, particularly with Chiwenga’sfaction, which has grown increasingly discontent with Mnangagwa’s power consolidation. 

The tensions trace back to a 2017 gentleman’s agreement between the two, forged during the coup that ousted Robert Mugabe. 

Under the deal, Mnangagwa was to serve two terms before handing over power to Chiwenga.

Instead, Mnangagwa has systematically marginalized Chiwenga and his military allies. Key figures from Chiwenga’sfaction, including the late Foreign Minister Sibusiso Moyo and Agriculture Minister Perence Shiri, have died under suspicious circumstances.

Over ten high-ranking military officials loyal to Chiwenga have similarly met mysterious deaths since 2017.

Zanu PF insiders warn that Mnangagwa’s defiance of the agreement risks triggering another coup. “Cornered, President ED now needs formal Parliamentary approval and military neutrality to remain in power beyond 2030,” said Mutodi, hinting at the delicate balance Mnangagwa must maintain to avoid rebellion.

Chiwenga’s faction, comprising disillusioned military elites and sidelined party members, is reportedly growing restless. 

Analysts believe the faction could exploit Mnangagwa’s 2030 agenda as a pretext to challenge his legitimacy, potentially through force.

With Zanu PF’s history of internal power struggles spilling into national instability, Mnangagwa’s push for prolonged rule may plunge Zimbabwe into yet another chapter of political uncertainty and military intervention.

Vice President Chiwenga could not be reached for comment.