President Emmerson Mnangagwa has rejected calls by ZANU-PF structures to extend his term limit beyond the constitutionally-mandated two terms.
President Mnangagwa said this in China while addressing the Zimbabwean diaspora community in Beijing. He is in the Far East for a State Visit and to attend the Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
President Mnangagwa Rejects ZANU-PF Requests To Extend His Term Limit
One Zimbabwean in China asked President Mnangagwa about his position to calls from within ZANU-PF to extend his term beyond 2028, when he should bow out. The President said he will not stay in office beyond 2028, emphasizing that he is a constitutionalist:
“Ndakataura kuti ini I’m a constitutionalist. Makambozvinzwa? Zvoreva kuti ini ndotevedza mutemo uye bumbiro remutemo ndoritevedza chaizvo chaizvo. Zvakare zve, ndini mumwe akarinyora. Saka avo vamoita makuhwa navo muchiti kuda shefu pamwe vangazowedzera makore hayi bodo handidi (I have said before that I’m a constitutionalist. I abide by the law and the Constitution, which I also contributed to. Some of you say maybe the Boss will extend his presidency. No. I will not do that),” he said.
President Mnangagwa explained that he even knows the date he must leave office and after that, he will rest:
“Ndine ndima yangu yandakapihwa nevanhu. Kana yapera kuchauya vamwe vanouya kuzotora ndima dzavowo. Mazvihwa? (People gave me a mandate and when it ends, others will come.) So this question of having a third term does not arise especially under my watch. No. I’m in my third term and I already know ne date racho randichabva pachigaro ndotova naro 2028 ndoenda kumba kwopindawo vamwe.”
The President commends the Zimbabwean Diaspora community for the spirit of hard working towards our national development. pic.twitter.com/kB01lgh3mk
— Presidential Communications Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 (@DeptCommsZW) September 2, 2024
ALSO READ: “My Days to Rest Are Fast Approaching”: President Emmerson Mnangagwa Announces Retirement Plan for 2028, Dispels Rumors of Extending Presidential Term
The Push For ED To Stay In Office
ZANU-PF Harare Province made a plea to the relevant authorities to start the constitutional amendments that will allow President Emmerson Mnangagwa to extend his term beyond 2028. The Harare structures will present this resolution to the ZANU-PF national leadership at the party’s 21st Annual People’s Conference in Bulawayo.
The ZANU-PF national leadership is expected to adopt the resolutions from its structures and implement them in Parliament. The ZANU-PF conference takes place from 22 to 27 October 2024.
What The Constitution Says About The Presidential Term Limit
Section 91(2) of the Constitution disqualifies President Mnangagwa from running for elections in 2028 because he would have served two terms. The Constitution limits a leader to two terms. This can be amended by a two-thirds Parliamentary majority to extend the terms of office or to remove them altogether.
However, if this is passed, Section 328(7) of the Constitution blocks President Mnangagwa from extending his terms as the amendment does not apply to incumbent Presidents. For President Mnangagwa to rule beyond 2028, this section will also need to be amended or repealed. If Parliament amends or repeals Section 328(7), the bill will go through a national referendum.
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