ZANU-PF Resurrects Third Term Ghost for Mnangagwa

Zimbabwe’s ruling party, ZANU-PF, is reviving efforts to amend the national constitution to allow President Emmerson Mnangagwa to run for a third term, despite earlier setbacks and the president’s repeated commitment to stepping down at the end of his current tenure in 2028.

Mnangagwa, 81, recently reaffirmed his intention to retire at the end of his second five-year term, insisting that he respects the constitutional two-term limit. His remarks, made during a media engagement at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit in Beijing, have temporarily disrupted plans within ZANU-PF to extend his tenure.

Nonetheless, the ruling party continues to push for constitutional changes. Grassroots mobilisation is already underway, with ZANU-PF aiming to table a motion at its December national conference seeking to extend Mnangagwa’s presidency beyond 2028. The proposal, however, faces significant legal and procedural barriers.

Zimbabwe’s constitution, under Section 328(7), prohibits amendments that would benefit the sitting president unless the clause itself is repealed or altered, an action that would require a national referendum. Legal experts note that even if ZANU-PF manages to push an amendment through its two-thirds majority in Parliament, public approval via referendum would still be required.

Party figures such as Harare provincial chairperson, Goodwills Masimirembwa, have publicly declared their support for extending Mnangagwa’s rule. Meanwhile, factions within ZANU-PF, including war veterans, are reportedly divided on the issue, fuelling internal tensions.

Opposition parties and civil society groups have strongly condemned the move. Douglas Mwonzora, leader of the MDC-T and a co-architect of Zimbabwe’s 2013 constitution, warned that altering term limits would be a betrayal of democratic principles and could further damage Zimbabwe’s global image.

Human rights organisations have also weighed in. The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) has pledged to challenge any attempts to extend Mnangagwa’s term, warning that it could lead to political instability and economic fallout, deterring investors and undermining the rule of law.

Political analysts argue that the push to amend the constitution reflects a deeper problem within ZANU-PF’s leadership culture. They note that the party has a history of unconstitutional power transitions, including the 2017 military-assisted ousting of former President Robert Mugabe, which brought Mnangagwa to power.

Critics also argue that the president’s ascendancy was unconstitutional, bypassing the lawful successor. They fear that a similar pattern is emerging as Mnangagwa appears unwilling to facilitate a peaceful transfer of power.

. With the main opposition faction led by a disputed figure, Sengezo Tshabangu, ZANU-PF may face little resistance in its attempt to push through constitutional changes.

The National Constitutional Assembly (NCA), a political party advocating for constitutionalism, has also criticised the third term agenda. The party argues that the current constitution is too vulnerable to manipulation and that Mnangagwa should focus on completing his term rather than seeking an extension.