HARARE – Zimbabwe’s ruling Zanu-PF has dismissed growing speculation that efforts to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term of office are intended to sideline Vice President Constantino Chiwenga or signal a lack of confidence in his leadership prospects.
Addressing journalists in Harare, Zanu-PF national spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa — a former ambassador to China — stressed that Chiwenga is not an “anointed successor,” insisting that Zimbabwe’s leadership transitions are determined through democratic elections, not through appointment or entitlement.
“It is not that we do not want him (Chiwenga). He can declare his candidacy. But there is no provision in the Constitution that makes a vice president the automatic successor to the presidency,” Mutsvangwa said.
“This is not a papacy — not a conclave of cardinals in Rome deciding who succeeds the Pope. Zimbabwe is a democracy. If he wishes to run, he must stand for election and be voted for, like anyone else.”
Mutsvangwa dismissed narratives portraying Chiwenga as Mnangagwa’s inevitable replacement, saying such claims distort the democratic process and misrepresent party procedure.
“Why this obsession with one individual?” he asked. “There are many capable people in the party who may aspire to lead. Zimbabwe is a democratic and constitutionally governed state — not a monarchy or papal institution.”
President Mnangagwa, who has consistently described himself as a constitutionalist, reaffirmed in his recent State of the Nation Address that he would complete his second term in 2028. However, a controversial Zanu-PF conference resolution calling for the extension of his term to 2030 has stirred debate both at home and abroad.
Mixed Reactions to Term Extension Proposal
The proposal — framed by Zanu-PF as a measure to align leadership with the government’s “Vision 2030” economic blueprint — has drawn mixed responses. Critics argue it represents democratic backsliding, while supporters insist it ensures policy continuity and economic stability.
Former Zanu-PF political commissar and cabinet minister Saviour Kasukuwere, now in exile, sharply criticised the plan, warning that extending Mnangagwa’s rule would end disastrously.
“He (Mnangagwa) is dreaming and has set himself up for a gigantic failure. Greed knows no boundaries, and this will lead to disaster for the country,” Kasukuwere told IOL.
Civil society groups and opposition parties have voiced concerns that the move would consolidate power and weaken democratic accountability. In contrast, Mnangagwa’s backers argue that Zimbabwe needs consistent leadership to sustain economic reforms and manage the new Zimbabwe Gold (ZWG) currency.
Regional and Diaspora Perspectives
The controversy has also resonated among Zimbabweans in the diaspora, particularly in South Africa, where many fear that political instability in Harare could have ripple effects across the region. Analysts warn that prolonged uncertainty in Zimbabwe may fuel regional tensions amid already rising anti-immigrant sentiment.
If the ruling party proceeds with the resolution, the proposal would be tabled before Parliament, where Zanu-PF holds a two-thirds majority — enough to initiate a constitutional amendment process. Any such move, however, is likely to invite legal challenges and scrutiny from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU).
For now, Zanu-PF maintains that succession will not be dictated by hierarchy or favouritism but through the ballot box — a message Mutsvangwa summed up pointedly:
“This is not a papacy. Zimbabweans will choose their leaders at the polls — not through anointment.”
