Harare – A storm is brewing within Zanu-PF, with outspoken war veterans openly challenging President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s loyalists pushing for a controversial extension of his term in office until 2030.
This defiance, analysts suggest, exposes deep fissures within the ruling party and could have significant implications for the upcoming elections and the political landscape of Zimbabwe.
The Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) organising secretary, Ben Ncube, also voiced the ex-combatants’ opposition to Mnangagwa’s plan, which they see as an attempt to circumvent the constitution. These statements followed a resolution passed at Zanu-PF’s annual conference in October 2024 to extend Mnangagwa’s tenure, despite his previous assertions that he would retire in 2028.
While Mnangagwa has publicly maintained his commitment to the constitution, his loyalists are actively pursuing the 2030 agenda, holding regular meetings to garner support. This has created a clear division within the party, with senior Zanu-PF members acknowledging the deepening factionalism.
“This (statement by war vets) is a rallying call for all war veterans and Zimbabweans to wise up to what is happening in the country. This signals the demise or the end of the road for the Mnangagwa administration,” a senior party official told NewsDay.
The official went on to suggest that the war veterans’ stance reflects the sentiment of the broader party membership. “The President will try to resist, do all that he can for now, but the die has been cast and the position of those war veterans normally speaks to the position of party members and what they are saying is exactly what the party membership is thinking about.”
Adding fuel to the fire, Acting President Constantino Chiwenga, widely viewed as a potential successor to Mnangagwa, delivered a speech at the National Heroes Acre condemning corruption. This speech, coupled with the enthusiastic support Chiwenga received from the crowd, was interpreted by some as a tacit endorsement of the war veterans’ stance against the 2030 agenda.
“Chiwenga was basically reinforcing the statement by the war veterans when he spoke out against corruption. He has been able to undo the 2030 agenda in just two days,” the senior party official claimed.
Political analysts share concerns about the escalating tensions. Eldred Masunungure highlighted the parallels between the current situation and the events leading up to Robert Mugabe’s removal from power in 2017.
“Anything can happen unless there is an intervention in the form of a mediation. There is too much going on and we are probably seeing a confrontation within the party and military or more broadly the security sector,” Masunungure warned.
He emphasised the significance of the war veterans’ involvement, noting that they represent not only ex-combatants but also a significant portion of the security sector. “This is because war veterans are not just speaking on behalf of ex-combatants but they are also representing the security sector. We are entering troubled times and it may not end well unless there is an intervention to bring down the temperatures from boiling point as the ingredients for the same kinds of things that happened in 2017 are now there and mediators can pre-empt the situation.”
Ibbo Mandaza echoed these sentiments, suggesting that the war veterans’ views reflect the broader sentiment of the Zimbabwean population.
“The statement by the war veterans resonates with the population at large as evidenced by the reaction to Chiwenga’s speech at the Heroes Acre,” he observed. “There is now consensus that corruption has never been as bad as it is now and the level of impunity by the cabal has really become unbearable and, therefore, the war veterans are likely to receive popular support across the country.”
The government’s response has been mixed. While Information Minister Jenfan Muswere has insisted there is no legal impediment to supporting or opposing the 2030 agenda, he also launched a strong attack on Geza, accusing him of hypocrisy and undermining the President.
Muswere’s statement highlighted Geza’s previous support for the 2030 resolution and suggested his current stance stemmed from personal grievances. He further defended the government’s record on supporting war veterans, citing the establishment of a dedicated ministry and a Zanu-PF war veterans’ wing. However, the war veterans’ defiance, coupled with the analysts’ warnings, points to a significant challenge to Mnangagwa’s authority and the potential for further political upheaval.
The church also weighed in, stating that extending the presidential term is unconstitutional. The coming months will be crucial in determining the outcome of this internal struggle within Zanu-PF.
