By Nyashadzashe Ndoro

Copyright nehandaradio

HARARE – President Emmerson Mnangagwa has seemingly dismissed suggestions he wants to delay Zimbabwe’s next general elections, insisting that the 2028 polls will be held as constitutionally scheduled despite growing calls by his allies within the ruling Zanu PF party to extend his stay in power until 2030.

Addressing the Central Committee meeting at the party’s headquarters in Harare on Thursday, Mnangagwa urged members to focus on building unity and strategy ahead of the polls.

“It is important that we introspect as a party of the bigger picture that we must win the 2028 harmonised elections,” Mnangagwa said.

“The Central Committee must have robust and frank discussions to foster solutions in unity to realise our common vision. We must therefore do our best to foster strategies of shaping our country.”

His remarks appear to signal a backtrack on the so-called “2030 agenda,” a campaign advanced by some of his allies to push the next elections to 2030 or beyond, effectively granting him an extended term.

Mnangagwa’s second and last term of office is supposed to end in 2028. Zanu-PF is yet to elect his successor.

In recent months, senior Zanu-PF figures, including Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe and party political commissar Munyaradzi Machacha, have publicly argued that Mnangagwa should remain in power beyond 2028, with Garwe even declaring that the elections would “not take place.”

Mnangagwa’s deputy Constantino Chiwenga, who was instrumental in the 2017 military coup that brought Mnangagwa to power, is widely seen as the frontrunner and successor to the presidency.

The “2030 agenda” is seen by analysts as a direct effort by Mnangagwa’s loyalists to circumvent Chiwenga’s succession.

While Mnangagwa has not publicly anointed a successor, his allies, like Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe, Zanu-PF political commissar Munyaradzi Machacha, deputy Youth Minister John Paradza, Midlands Provincial Affairs Minister Owen Ncube and party spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa have been openly hostile to Chiwenga’s supporters.

Garwe’s public declaration that “there is no election” and Mutsvangwa’s reported mockery of unnamed rivals have been interpreted as a direct jab at the Chiwenga faction.

This has resulted in massive factional battles within the party and government.

Interestingly, the 2030 agenda push has also drawn financial backing from some of Mnangagwa’s controversial business associates.

Figures such as businessman Wicknell Chivayo and contractor Paul Tungwarara have reportedly been key funders of events and campaigns aligned with the 2030 agenda, further fuelling speculation that the president might be open to extending his rule.

Mnangagwa’s latest comments, however, suggest a reaffirmation of the constitutional requirement for elections every five years.

Political analysts say his stance reflects both internal tensions within Zanu-PF. The argument from observers has always been that if the President is not supporting the 2030 agenda, then he should reprimand his supporters or publicly anoint his successor.