President Mnangagwa hints retirement after serving second term

Annahstacia Ndlovu

81-year-old Zanu- PF leader, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has again hinted he will retire in 2028 upon expiry of his second and final presidential term.

Addressing a crowd at Mutare Teachers College Fruit Juice and Water Processing Plant commissioning in Mutare province on Thursday, Mnangagwa said Zanu- PF will elect a new leader at the next congress due in 2027 in line with the ruling party’s constitution.

In recent months, there has been growing sentiments that Mnangagwa who ascended to power through a 2017 coup wanted to amend the country’s constitution to remove term limit. Alternatively, he would seek consent from parliament to defer presidential elections in 2030.

“Our constitution (Zanu-PF) says after every five years we go to congress. There we choose a president who is supposed to lead for two terms of five years each. I have done my first five years, and we went to Congress. I was re-elected to lead for another five years. So, this is my last five years, which will end soon, and then l go and rest. My days to rest are fast approaching.

“We will go to congress and find another leader who will follow in my footsteps of Munhumutapa, ” he said.

Zimbabweans have expressed their mixed views over Mnangagwa’s announcement.

Ibhetshu LikaZulu Secretary General, Mbuso Fuzwayo says Mnangagwa’s public disclosure on stepping down is quite pleasing to those who have been fighting for constitutionalism, democracy and good governance.

“It is good news to the ears of every Zimbabwean as this is going to put to rest the matter that was troubling everyone. We are going to be happy if Mnangagwa sticks to his gun and not cling to power,” Fuzwayo said.

The Founder of Camaliso, Rejoice Ngwenya says it is good that Mnangagwa understands a bit of the constitution though politicians are an unreliable crop of people.

“I hope that he will stand by his word and stop this unneccesary clamour around the thrid term which turned to be a bit irritating, “said Ngwenya.

The youthful opposition politician, Gift Ostallos Siziba says the position by Mnangagwa is nothing new in the Zimbabwe party politics because the constitution of Zimbabwe is very clear that presidents elected must save for two terms and cannot go beyond.

“Despite that Mnangagwa’s first and second term of office were subjected to question of legitimacy. He cannot have a third term by whatever means. We have pronounced ourselves that any attempt to do so is going to be rejected by Zimbabweans and every progressive citizen of our country and beyond,” said Siziba, adding that Zimbabweans will not allow the butchering of their constitution by greedy individuals.

ZAPU secretary general, Mthulisi Hanana welcomed Mnangagwa’s announcement of not seeking a third term saying it was long overdue for the Zanu-PF leader to step down because he failed Zimbabweans on issues of corruption, Gukurahundi and poor service delivery at state institutions.

“Mnangagwa did not deserve second term in office because ever since he came into power through a coup, he used the law as a weapon against opposition and everyone who was critiquing his misrule,” said Hanana.

Zimbabweans say Mnangagwa has brought misery and has prompted corruption, tribalism in every corner of the country despite the great hope that all had when he took office.

Pressure is mounting on Mnangagwa to step down when his term of office comes to an end in 2028 despite a divided call within his party and Him saying in 2030, he will be in power casting doubt to his stepping down statement he made while in Mutare.