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As the race for the 2028 harmonized elections in Zimbabwe heats up, Zanu PF supporters have been intensifying campaigns for President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa to extend his stay in power beyond his current term. However, in a surprising turn of events, President Mnangagwa has reiterated his commitment to respecting the constitution and relinquishing power when his term expires in 2028.
Already there are about eight provinces that have heightened their campaigns to make sure ED clings to power beyond 2028. Masvingo province became the first to endorse such a move while Mashonaland East and Bulawayo have boldly resisted this move.Despite this uncertainty the 81-year-old Zanu PF leader has reaffirmed that he will exit office upon the end of his second and final presidential term, although party hardliners are calling for an extension of his stay beyond 2030 to fulfill aspirations of his vision 2030 blueprint.
Mnangagwa who is currently on State visit in Beijing, China, while addressing Zimbabwean community yesterday indicated that he would abide by the Constitution and retire when his term expires in 2028.“I have said before that I am a constitutionalist, meaning I follow the Constitution of Zimbabwe to the latter and spirit. So those whom you gossip with saying maybe I will extend my years in office, no I will not do that. I have my mandate given to me by the people and someone else will come after me and run their race.
So, this question of the third term does not arise, especially under my watch, no!“I am already in my second term and already know even the date that I will leave office in 2028 and go home…if there are others misleading you then go and tell them it’s not what our father (himself) is thinking,” said Mnangagwa.
In the event that the Zanu Pf leader decides to run for a third presidential term, he has to navigate a treacherous constitutional landmine.Section 95 of the Constitution declares that the President’s term of office runs for five years. Also Section 91 states that a person is disqualified from election as President if he or she has already held the office for two terms.Subsection (7) of Section 328 bars Mnangagwa from benefitting from any tweaking of the country’s supreme law.
“Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, an amendment to a term-limit provision, the effect of which is to extend the length of time that a person may hold or occupy any public office does not apply in relation to any person who held or occupied that office, or any equivalent office, at any time before the amendment”.
Despite the fervent calls from his party supporters to remain at the helm until 2030, President Mnangagwa has already demonstrated a steadfast dedication to upholding the democratic
