The recent Zanu-PF annual conference in Bulawayo concluded with a resolution to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term until 2030, a decision that has ignited a firestorm of controversy and exposed deep fissures within the ruling party.
The resolution, calling for constitutional amendments to accommodate the extension, has reportedly met with significant resistance within the party’s higher echelons and security services.
The aftermath of the conference has been marked by a series of unusual events. A press conference scheduled to clarify the controversial resolution was abruptly cancelled by Zanu-PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa. While the official explanation cited a family emergency, sources within the party suggest a different reason. President Mnangagwa, having received feedback indicating widespread opposition to the 2030 agenda, reportedly intervened to prevent the press conference.
This led to an extraordinary politburo meeting, convened to assess the mood within the party’s leadership. A politburo member, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed the prevailing sentiment: “While Midlands and Masvingo are vocal on the 2030 agenda, there is a sense that the president feels isolated by members of the central committee and politburo members who are not showing much enthusiasm to the 2030 agenda,” the source stated. “This is because those most vocal like Midlands minister Owen Ncube have long been known as his cronies, while others are shady characters…”
Further evidence of internal friction emerged when presidential spokesperson George Charamba took to X, expressing frustration with what he termed “posturing careerists” within the party. Subsequently, President Mnangagwa met with the Zanu-PF council of elders at State House. Sources claim that the elders advised Mnangagwa that the 2030 agenda was causing significant internal strife, potentially threatening the party’s stability.
“As it stands, that resolution to amend the constitution remains on paper, but the elders told him that this 2030 agenda has ignited serious infighting, which if not managed well will implode in his face,” a source revealed.
Zanu-PF spokesperson Farai Marapira offered a different account of events, attributing the cancellation of the press conference solely to Mutsvangwa’s family emergency. He also dismissed speculation surrounding the politburo meeting, stating that the only item on the agenda was the conferment of hero status.
“All the sensational theories that are being said about the meeting are not true,” Marapira insisted. “The only matter, which was on the agenda was the conferment of hero status…As a party, we are happy, and party members are all happy.”
The 2030 agenda is widely believed to be aimed at pre-empting any ambitions Vice President Constantino Chiwenga may harbour for the presidency. Chiwenga is notably the only member of the Zanu-PF presidium who has not publicly endorsed the ED2030 slogan. The historical context of Robert Mugabe’s removal from power in 2017 following his failure to manage succession adds weight to these concerns. Mnangagwa, to date, has not publicly named a successor.
Sources suggest that Mnangagwa’s camp is exploring various options, including potentially seeking a court order to enforce the constitutional amendment as adopted at the conference. However, this strategy faces significant hurdles.
Zanu PF legal secretary Patrick Chinama revealed that Mnangagwa had personally assured him on three separate occasions that he was not interested in another term, implying that a constitutional amendment would require a referendum.
Critics counter that if Mnangagwa genuinely opposed the 2030 agenda, he would have acted to halt its momentum much earlier. The situation remains fluid, with the future of the 2030 resolution and the internal dynamics of Zanu-PF hanging precariously in the balance.
