Political Correspondent
ZANU-PF’s internal succession debate is intensifying, with the party’s Harare provincial leadership pushing for President Emmerson Mnangagwa to remain in office beyond 2030, amid growing questions over proposed constitutional changes and their implications for the ruling party’s leadership succession.
Harare Province wants all ZANU-PF provinces to endorse resolutions at the National People’s Conference in Chinhoyi, including extending the party president’s term of office from five to seven years in line with changes to the national Constitution under Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Act, 2026 (CAA3).
The province also wants the party’s 2027 National Congress postponed to 2030, Mnangagwa retained as ZANU-PF president and First Secretary until the rescheduled congress, and his endorsment as the party’s sole presidential candidate in 2030.
Harare Province is expressing confidence that ZANU-PF will increase its parliamentary representation in the 2030 elections, therefore paving the way for Mnangagwa to remain Zimbabwe’s President beyond that year.
Harare provincial chairperson Godswills Masimirembwa said the province expected all party provinces to endorse the proposed alignment of the ZANU-PF constitution with the national Constitution.
“In other words, the leadership cycle be increased from five years to seven years in respect of the presidency of the party,” Masimirembwa said.
“Secondly, that the National Congress, which is due in 2027, be postponed to 2030. Thirdly, that, consistent with that postponement, President Mnangagwa remains party President and First Secretary until 2030, when Congress will be held.”
He said the province expected Mnangagwa to remain Zimbabwe’s President beyond 2030.
However, the proposals have exposed divisions within the ruling party, with questions being raised over the legal and political processes underpinning the proposed constitutional changes.
An extraordinary ZANU-PF Politburo meeting scheduled for Friday, October 9, was reportedly cancelled amid mounting tensions over the contentious issue.
Emerging reports suggest the meeting was called off following disagreements surrounding Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga’s reported objections to the proposed constitutional amendments.
Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda was also reportedly unhappy with aspects of the proposals, although for different reasons, while ZANU-PF legal affairs secretary Ziyambi Ziyambi reportedly faced criticism over far-reaching proposals attributed to him.
The planned meeting was expected to consider sweeping amendments to the ZANU-PF constitution aimed at aligning the party’s rules with the national Constitution ahead of the annual conference.
The proposed postponement of the congress from 2027 to 2030 has become a key point of contention, as it would affect the timing of the party’s leadership renewal process and potentially extend Mnangagwa’s tenure as party president.
The developments come as ZANU-PF prepares for its annual National People’s Conference, scheduled to run from Tuesday to Saturday in Chinhoyi.
The programme is expected to include a Politburo meeting on Tuesday, a Central Committee meeting on Wednesday, delegates’ travel to the venue on Thursday, the main conference and presidential address on Friday, and the closing proceedings on Saturday.
