Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s aspirations to succeed President Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2028 have encountered a significant obstacle as his hometown, Mashonaland East Province, has publicly backed Mnangagwa for an extended term until 2030.
Daniel Garwe, Chairman of Zanu-PF’s Mashonaland East Province, is leading a smear campaign against Chiwenga using a selective propaganda technique called “Card Stacking” to present Mnangagwa as the sole leader capable of steering Zimbabwe toward its Vision 2030 goal of achieving upper-middle-class economic status.
“Given the positive developments across the province, we have decided that President Mnangagwa should continue in office,” Garwe declared at a provincial inter-district conference in Goromonzi on Sunday.
“Each district is seeing progress, from Nyamapanda to Chikomba. Although President Mnangagwa mentioned in Mutare that he would retire after his second term, we are urging him to remain in office beyond 2028.
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“We are sending Cde Munyaradzi Machacha to convey our request to the President; the people of Mashonaland East are asking him to stay in office beyond 2028. We want him with us until 2030, as the First Secretary of Zanu PF, the President of our party, and the President of Zimbabwe.”
This indicates that Chiwenga lacks support from his own province for his presidential ambitions.
Chiwenga, born in 1956 in Wedza District of Mashonaland East Province and educated up to O Level at St Mary’s Mission in Wedza, played a key role in Mnangagwa’s ascent to power. In 2017, as an Army General, Chiwenga led the military coup that deposed former President Robert Mugabe, facilitating Mnangagwa’s return from exile and subsequent assumption of power.
Mnangagwa has recently stated he would step down as president at the end of his second term in 2028 as per the Constitution, allowing the party to select a new leader. He has not endorsed Chiwenga as his successor.
However, observers question the sincerity of Mnangagwa’s intentions, noting his reluctance to shut down Zanu-PF factions advocating for him to remain in power beyond 2028.
It is rumored that Chiwenga and Mnangagwa had a succession agreement, but Mnangagwa is allegedly planning to renege on this promise, causing factionalism within Zanu-PF and the government.
Former cabinet minister Saviour Kasukuwere condemned the factional attempts within Zanu-PF to rally support for a third term for Mnangagwa, despite his second term just beginning. He views this as a reckless and dangerous move that endangers Zimbabwe’s Constitution.
Kasukuwere called on various groups, including politicians, clergy, veterans, peasants, business leaders, youths, women, and citizens, to defend the Constitution against this threat. He emphasized the need for collective action to stop this “madness” and prevent the personalisation of Zimbabwe’s future, asserting that Mnangagwa is behind these efforts and will only respond to public pressure.
“The ill-fated 2030 campaign by factional interests within Zanu-PF must be resisted. The current government hasn’t completed a year in its second term. ED was sworn in for the second and last term on September 4, 2023,” Kasukuwere said.
“The fact that his supporters are already pushing for a third term is reckless and dangerous. We need to rise and defend Zimbabwe’s Constitution from this calculated attack.
“Politicians, clergy, veterans of the struggle, peasants, business leaders, youths, women, and all citizens, it’s time to reject this madness.
“Preparations are already underway, sometimes disguised as social gatherings. Women and youths are being prepped accordingly.
“The multiple voices within the party send mixed signals, and sadly, it appears ED (Mnangagwa) is behind these tactics, employing his typical strategy of denial until he yields to public demands.
“We must stop this madness before our children’s future is personalized. We need to unite and stand against this divisive rhetoric,” Kasukuwere asserted.
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