Momentum is building within Zimbabwe’s ruling party, ZANU PF, for President Emmerson Mnangagwa to extend his presidency beyond 2028 to complete developmental projects under his Vision 2030 plan.
Provincial Support for Extension
This Sunday, the ZANU PF Mashonaland West province added its voice to the growing calls for Mnangagwa to remain in power past his constitutional term limit. Following similar endorsements from Mashonaland Central, East, and Masvingo provinces, the Mashonaland West provincial chairperson, Mary Mliswa-Chikoka, praised Mnangagwa as a visionary leader who should be allowed to see his plans through.
“His Excellency had a dream of uplifting the livelihoods of Zimbabweans when he crafted Vision 2030. It would be remiss for us to let him leave unfinished business. That is why we are requesting him to stay until 2030, or beyond, when that dream comes to fruition,” Mliswa-Chikoka stated to a cheering crowd at Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) Grounds.
Developmental Achievements Highlighted
During the inter-district meeting, Minister of State for Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Marian Chombo, outlined various developmental projects initiated under Mnangagwa’s leadership. These include the construction of the Harare-Chirundu highway and the growth of the province’s GDP through mining and agriculture, driven by investor confidence in sectors like platinum, lithium, and gold exploration.
Youth and women leaders also voiced their support for Mnangagwa’s extended presidency. Provincial youth chairperson Tapiwa Masenda highlighted the benefits to Zimbabwe’s youth from ongoing projects, while Women’s League chairperson Constance Shamu noted the need to maintain the party’s popularity through income-generating initiatives.
The ruling party’s national political commissar, Munyaradzi Machacha, attended the meeting as the guest of honor and pledged to convey the widespread support for Mnangagwa’s extended incumbency to the President. Machacha hinted at potential constitutional challenges, suggesting that Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi and other legal experts within the party would explore ways to navigate these obstacles.
Machacha also issued a veiled warning to those with presidential ambitions, particularly Vice President Constatino Chiwenga, advising against factionalism and urging focus on strengthening grassroots support. The absence of ZANU PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa from the meeting fueled speculation about internal divisions, with rumors suggesting his alignment with Chiwenga as a potential successor.
Present at the meeting were several high-ranking ZANU PF officials, including Health Minister and Politburo member Douglas Mombeshora and deputy national political commissar Webster Shamu, indicating strong party support for Mnangagwa’s continued leadership.
Source: New Zimbabwe
