By Munacho Gwamanda-Zanu PF has formally tabled a proposal in Parliament seeking to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s rule beyond his constitutional mandate, further fueling tensions within the ruling party.
Speaking at an inter-district meeting in Mazowe, Mashonaland Central Province, Zanu PF’s Chitepo School of Ideology principal, Munyaradzi Machacha, confirmed that the party’s resolution to keep Mnangagwa in power was being actively implemented through government channels.
He dismissed claims that the proposal sought to grant Mnangagwa a third term, clarifying that it aimed to extend his current leadership until 2030 to ensure stability and continuity.
“To facilitate the implementation of Resolution Number 1, a committee has been established, comprising provincial chairpersons from all 10 provinces, provincial political commissars, and representatives from all party wings,” Machacha explained. “This committee will work closely with the legal department to craft strategies, while Parliament explores ways to bring this resolution to life.”
As tensions escalate between Mnangagwa and his deputy, Constantino Chiwenga, Zanu PF National Chairperson Oppah Muchinguri has stepped in to mediate the growing factional rift.
The two leaders are embroiled in a fierce battle for control of the party beyond 2028.
Initially, Mnangagwa and Chiwenga had a verbal agreement that the vice president would succeed Mnangagwa after his second term.
However, Mnangagwa has since backtracked, instead maneuvering to extend his grip on power, a move that has triggered internal divisions.
Mnangagwa’s loyalists have been pushing for constitutional amendments to enable him to remain in office, portraying him as an indispensable leader whose rule should continue.
This has led to heightened discord within the ruling party.
At a special ‘State of the Party’ indaba held at the Zanu PF headquarters in Harare on Thursday, Muchinguri acknowledged the damaging impact of the leadership wrangles on party cohesion.
“It is shameful for any leader to engage in primitive and barbaric political bickering that divides the party,” she said. “Such behavior only benefits opposition forces.”
She commended the party’s Information and Publicity Department for implementing a robust social media policy to curb factionalism and urged members to focus on promoting the party’s achievements rather than engaging in internal disputes.
Muchinguri reaffirmed that Mnangagwa, as Zanu PF’s First Secretary, remains the face of the party. She warned that any member found denigrating him would face disciplinary action.
“Our President and the entire Presidium must be protected by shunning factionalism, which is a creation of self-serving individuals. This behavior poses a national security risk,” she stated.
The indaba was attended by Politburo members, Central Committee members, Ministers of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, provincial chairpersons, and other senior party officials.
Muchinguri emphasized the importance of discipline, warning against unresolved primary election disputes and the misuse of disciplinary processes for personal gain.
“Some members are using government resources to campaign in constituencies where there are duly elected MPs. This behavior will not be tolerated,” she said, adding that a circular would be issued to address these issues.
She also stressed the need to empower women and war veterans through economic initiatives, citing Mnangagwa’s Presidential Solar, Borehole, and Loan Schemes as key development efforts.
Muchinguri’s intervention highlights the severity of the ongoing power struggle between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga.
The rift, which has been simmering since the 2017 coup that brought Mnangagwa to power, has now reached a critical juncture.
Chiwenga, who played a pivotal role in the military takeover that ousted Robert Mugabe, is determined to assert his claim to the presidency.
Meanwhile, Mnangagwa’s manoeuvres to retain power have intensified, threatening to destabilize Zanu PF ahead of the 2028 elections.