In a move that has sent shockwaves across Zimbabwe’s political landscape, the ruling Zanu PF party has formally resolved to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s tenure by two years, potentially keeping the 83-year-old leader in power until 2030. The decision, adopted at the party’s annual conference in Mutare on October 19, 2025, has triggered fierce opposition backlash, deepened rifts within the ruling party, and reignited debate over constitutional limits and the future of democracy in the country.
According to AP and New Zimbabwe, the resolution directs the government to “initiate the requisite legislative amendments” to implement the plan, as stated by Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, who also serves as Zanu PF’s legal secretary. The party, which has maintained power since Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980, controls Parliament and enjoys a significant legislative majority, giving it considerable leverage to pursue constitutional amendments.
Under Zimbabwe’s current Constitution, President Mnangagwa is required to step down in 2028 after completing two five-year terms. Any extension of his tenure would require amending the term-limit provisions—a process that, according to some legal experts like lecturer Lovemore Madhuku, may even necessitate two public referendums. Despite these legal hurdles, the party’s resolution was met with resounding cheers from hundreds of delegates at the conference, reflecting strong support from Mnangagwa’s loyalists.
Yet, not everyone within Zanu PF is marching in lockstep. The move has exposed deepening fissures inside the party. Factions loyal to President Mnangagwa have been actively campaigning for his continued stay in office until 2030. In contrast, allies of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga—who led the 2017 coup that ousted long-serving leader Robert Mugabe—are staunchly opposed to any extension. Blessed Geza, a prominent Chiwenga supporter and veteran of Zimbabwe’s 1970s liberation war, has taken to YouTube to denounce the campaign, drawing thousands of viewers. Despite his calls for protests, police deployments have kept opposition demonstrations largely muted.
The opposition’s reaction has been swift and unequivocal. Former Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa dismissed the resolution, insisting it was “binding only on Zanu PF members, not Zimbabwe and her people.” According to New Zimbabwe, the country’s main opposition has reacted angrily, viewing the move as a blatant attempt to subvert constitutional order and entrench authoritarian rule.
Adding to the controversy, on October 19, 2025, ten people—including senior citizens over the age of 70—were arrested for attempting to participate in an unsanctioned demonstration dubbed the “One Million Man March” against Mnangagwa. The crackdown on protestors, reported by New Zimbabwe, highlights the government’s ongoing intolerance of dissent and its willingness to use the state’s security apparatus to stifle opposition voices.
This isn’t the first time Mnangagwa’s leadership style has come under scrutiny. Known as “the Crocodile” for his political cunning, Mnangagwa came to power in 2017 after a military coup ousted Robert Mugabe, who had ruled Zimbabwe for nearly four decades. He was formally elected president in the disputed 2018 general election and re-elected in 2023. Despite his earlier assertions of being a “constitutionalist” with no intention to exceed his mandate, factions within his party have continued to push for his extended stay in office. As AP notes, Mnangagwa did not mention the extension proposal in his closing remarks at the conference, leaving many to wonder where he truly stands on the issue.
Human Rights Watch has accused Mnangagwa’s government and Zanu PF of repressing civil and political rights, particularly ahead of the 2023 election. The organization’s criticism underscores a broader pattern of authoritarian governance that has characterized Zimbabwe’s recent political history. The party’s latest move to extend Mnangagwa’s tenure has drawn parallels to similar constitutional changes in other African countries, where leaders have used legislative amendments to prolong their rule—often at the expense of democratic norms and public trust.
The Zanu PF 22nd National People’s Conference, which opened on October 17, 2025, at Mutare Polytechnic College, was initially billed as a platform for strategic deliberations and championing aspirations for a prosperous future. In his address on October 20, President Mnangagwa urged party members to “observe their sacred duty to work hard in order to ensure prosperity of ordinary citizens.” However, critics argue that the focus on extending his presidency overshadows genuine efforts to address the country’s economic and social challenges.
While the ruling party’s dominance in Parliament gives it a clear path to initiate legislative changes, the requirement for constitutional amendments—and possibly referendums—introduces significant legal and political complexity. As legal experts have pointed out, altering presidential term limits is not a simple matter of parliamentary arithmetic. It demands broad-based public support and, in some interpretations of the law, direct approval from the electorate. Whether Zanu PF can successfully navigate these hurdles remains to be seen.
The move has also reignited memories of Zimbabwe’s turbulent political past. The 2017 coup, led by then-General Chiwenga, was justified as a means to restore constitutional order after years of Mugabe’s increasingly autocratic rule. Many Zimbabweans hoped it would mark a turning point toward greater democracy and accountability. Yet, the current push to extend Mnangagwa’s tenure has left some wondering whether history is repeating itself, with power once again concentrated in the hands of a single leader and his loyalists.
Protests against the proposed extension have been largely contained by a heavy police presence. According to AP, calls for mass demonstrations have been muted, with authorities quick to clamp down on any signs of dissent. The recent arrests of elderly protestors speak volumes about the government’s approach to public opposition—a strategy that has drawn criticism from both domestic and international observers.
As the legislative process unfolds, the spotlight will remain firmly fixed on Zimbabwe’s political elite. Will Zanu PF succeed in pushing through constitutional changes to keep Mnangagwa in power? Or will opposition forces—both within the party and outside it—find ways to mobilize public opinion and defend the constitutional order? With the stakes so high, the coming months promise to be a defining chapter in Zimbabwe’s ongoing struggle over democracy, legitimacy, and the rule of law.
For now, the country waits, watching as its leaders chart a course that could shape Zimbabwe’s future for years to come.
