The Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) has rejected a report from a local newspaper that alleged President Emmerson Mnangagwa is seeking to extend his term beyond 2028 by using unofficial structures outside the ZANU PF party.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the OPC called the article slanderous, accusing it of attempting to undermine national unity and tarnish the President’s reputation. The OPC gave the newspaper seven days to retract the story, warning that failure to do so would result in legal action.
The statement criticized the article for falsely suggesting that President Mnangagwa was trying to circumvent the Constitution by enlisting “parallel structures” to extend his presidency. The OPC further denied any internal divisions within ZANU PF or the security sector, as implied by the article.
The Office reiterated that President Mnangagwa has repeatedly expressed his commitment to adhering to the Constitutional limits of his term and has no intention of seeking an extension. The OPC emphasized that views expressed by individuals or groups should not be misattributed to the President.
The OPC also reminded the editor of the newspaper that this was the second instance in a short period where false claims had been made about the President, and warned that publishing such falsehoods could result in legal consequences.
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