ZANU PF Says 2028 Election Could Have Exposed Zimbabwe To Political Threats

ZANU PF says Zimbabwe could have faced political and security risks during the 2028 elections had the government not amended the Constitution to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s tenure to 2030.

Party spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa made the claim while speaking to journalists at ZANU PF headquarters on Thursday.

He said the decision to pursue Constitutional Amendment Act Number 3 was driven by concerns that forces opposed to the ruling party could exploit the political transition expected in 2028.

“The questions which arise at that crucial handover stage are such that the country will be very strong to withstand any stresses. Basically, a lot of preparation may have been put in by detractors and those who are sworn enemies of the liberation movement to ambush 2028,” Mutsvangwa said.

“There was a possibility that the country may not even be well prepared to withstand this pressure, and it is this assessment by ZANU PF which made us start looking at our constitution.”

Mutsvangwa did not identify the alleged detractors or provide evidence of preparations for such an intervention.

Amendment Extended Mnangagwa’s Tenure

Constitutional Amendment Act Number 3 was passed through Zimbabwe’s legislative and constitutional processes before being signed into law by Mnangagwa earlier this year.

Among its changes was the extension of Mnangagwa’s presidential tenure to 2030.

The amendment had faced reported resistance from a faction associated with Deputy President Constantino Chiwenga before ultimately being approved.

Political observers had viewed the changes as limiting Chiwenga’s reported presidential ambitions and said they contributed to tensions within ZANU PF, with competing factions emerging around supporters of Chiwenga and those backing Mnangagwa’s continued leadership.

Mutsvangwa's remarks present the amendment as a measure intended to safeguard political continuity rather than as a response to internal succession politics.

Mutsvangwa Tells Presidential Ambitions To Wait

Mutsvangwa also addressed politicians seeking the presidency, saying their ambitions should be deferred until Mnangagwa’s tenure ends in 2030.

“The detractors will have nothing to shout about. We are now very confident of the certainty of leadership; we are also confident of the stability of the political system, and we are very assured of the sustenance of the economic miracle,” he said.

“At our meeting yesterday in the Politburo, there was unanimous expression of gratitude and gladness about the President. There may be ambition, and rightfully so in politics—that is why everybody is a politician; ambition is right—but there is a time when ambition has to curve in to the realities of what people want.”

Mutsvangwa did not provide further details of the Politburo discussion or identify specific individuals whose ambitions he was addressing.

The amendment has therefore secured Mnangagwa's continued tenure to 2030, while questions over ZANU PF's eventual succession remain politically significant.