Harare – Despite President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s recent assurances to selected media editors at State House that he will not seek to extend his rule beyond his constitutionally mandated second term in 2028, his political allies have reignited a contentious campaign for him to remain in power until 2030.
Key figures spearheading the 2030 campaign include prominent individuals such as Daniel Garwe, Owen Ncube, Tino Machakaire, Tatenda Mavetera, John Paradza, Lovemore Matuke, Goodwills Masimirembwa, Paul Tungwarara, Edson Chakanyuka Chiherenge, and Robson Mavhenyengwa, among others.
#RenewedBattleLoomsOver2030Project#MnangagwaTeamBackOnCampaignTrail
President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s political allies are back on a perilous 2030 campaign trail despite their principal recently telling editors from selected media houses at State House in Harare that he will not… pic.twitter.com/UFhhzhjS6r— TheNewsHawks (@NewsHawksLive) March 3, 2025
The renewed push for Mnangagwa to stay on beyond his constitutional limit comes in direct opposition to the stance taken by the Zimbabwe National War Veterans Association. Just this past Friday, the association’s chairman, Ethan Mathibela, asserted that Mnangagwa must step down due to his perceived failures in leadership.
Daniel Garwe, the Local Government minister and Zanu PF Mashonaland East provincial chairperson, made the remarks while addressing a provincial co-ordinating committee meeting in Marondera, sparking a fresh wave of debate about the future of Zimbabwean democracy.
Garwe asserted that Mnangagwa would be “persuaded” to extend his tenure, clarifying that this did not necessarily equate to a third term. Instead, he proposed that all elected officials, including councillors, Members of Parliament, and Senators, would remain in office until 2030, with the option for by-elections if necessary.
“We want him to take us to 2030; we did not say we want a third term. Don’t put words in our mouths. We only said, ‘President, take us to 2030’,” Garwe stated emphatically. “This means that if you are a councillor now, you will remain a councillor until 2030, just like MPs and senators. If you don’t want that, we will hold a byelection to replace you.”
Garwe argued that Mnangagwa’s extensive institutional memory and experience made him the ideal leader to guide the country forward.
“So far we have already agreed to persuade the President. We are going to persuade him to understand where we are coming from and where we want him to take us to,” Garwe told the assembled delegates.
He emphasised Mnangagwa’s long-standing presence within Zanu PF, highlighting his role since the party’s formation and his subsequent leadership positions, which have equipped him with invaluable knowledge and expertise.
“In my view, His Excellency is the only person who is more senior even among war veterans who has got the institutional memory of the party because it was formed when he was there, as a youth,” Garwe added. “All the stages that followed thereafter, he was there, he has all that in institutional memory that we need and that must be documented coupled with the beautiful, brilliant policies of leadership that he has demonstrated so far.”
While Mnangagwa recently stated that he would leave office when his term ends in 2028 and would not be swayed by loyalists to prolong his stay, Garwe’s pronouncements suggest that efforts to persuade the 82-year-old leader are already underway.
Speaking to editors in Harare recently, Mnangagwa reaffirmed his commitment to Zimbabwe’s constitutional term limits, which allow a president to serve two five-year terms. However, Mnangagwa’s loyalists have remained defiant, insisting they will persuade him to stay on.
Garwe’s statement has ignited concerns about its implications for Zimbabwe’s democracy and the rule of law. Critics argue that extending the President’s term could undermine the country’s constitutional framework and perpetuate authoritarianism.
Prior to this, the ex-combatants had openly declared war on Mnangagwa, accusing him of attempting to extend his rule to 2030 and presiding over a “kleptocracy” – a government run by thieves – allegedly involving his relatives, clan members, and close associates.
Adding to the tension, Blessed Mhlanga, the journalist who aired the war veterans’ video attacks on Mnangagwa, has been arrested and detained without bail, raising concerns about freedom of the press.
After a period of strategic retreat, Mnangagwa’s allies have reportedly decided to attempt to “persuade” him to extend his rule to 2030 – a thinly veiled attempt to secure a third term in office.
This development follows Mnangagwa’s own ambiguous remarks, in which he stated that he would not be persuaded by “persuaders” to stay on. Instead, he claimed he would “persuade the persuaders” to abandon their efforts, asserting his commitment to constitutionalism and implying that his supporters, including government ministers, are not as committed to upholding the constitution.
Critics point out the irony of Mnangagwa’s claim to be a constitutionalist, given that he initially came to power through a coup in November 2017, which ousted the late former president Robert Mugabe from his 37-year reign. This makes him, in the eyes of many, the “ultimate constitutional violator or subverter”.
