President Emmerson Mnangagwa has firmly pushed back against claims of a constitutional term extension and plans to cancel the 2028 harmonised elections, in remarks that appear to directly contradict his own party's provincial chairman, Daniel Garwe.
Addressing a Zanu-PF Central Committee meeting, the President underscored the party's primary objective: winning the 2028 harmonised general elections.
"It is of importance that we introspect as a party... in the view of the bigger objective that our party wins the 2028 harmonised general elections," Mnangagwa said.
His statement serves as a clear directive to the party's hierarchy, emphasizing a focus on the upcoming polls rather than on any maneuvers to bypass them.
Mnangagwa's comments stand in stark contrast to those made by Mashonaland East provincial chairman Daniel Garwe. At a district coordinating committee meeting on August 11, Garwe declared, "There is no election... We’re going to 2030 building the country, whether they like it or not, shame or no shame, we’re unstoppable."
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The remarks were widely seen as a public declaration of a plan to extend Mnangagwa's second and final term, a move that would require a constitutional amendment.
Garwe's comments also included veiled jabs at Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, a leading contender for the presidency, in what was perceived as a power struggle within the party.
Despite Garwe's public posturing, sources have indicated that Mnangagwa has consistently maintained his commitment to stepping down in 2028 when his term expires.
While speculation of a succession plan to block Chiwenga's ascendancy continues to circulate within party circles, the President’s latest comments re-assert a constitutional approach.
Mnangagwa concluded his address with a call for unity and discipline.
"There is no one person, or group of people, who own the party," he stated, adding, "Party ino takaisiirwa nevakayenda, tinosungirwa kuyichengetedza, tiyisiyire avo vachauya" (This party was left to us by those before us and have departed, we are obliged to look after it and leave it to those to come).
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