Masvingo ZANU PF chairperson Robson Mavenyengwa has claimed that the ruling party is preparing to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term of office beyond 2028, asserting that there will be no general elections that year.
Mavhenyengwa made the remarks after arriving at Gutu Rural District Council (RDC) for a constituency leadership meeting, where he told party members that a ZANU PF resolution to extend the President’s tenure to 2030 would soon be tabled in Parliament via Cabinet.
“There will be no elections in 2028,” Mavenyengwa said, claiming internal party processes were already in motion to effect the extension of President Mnangagwa’s term.
The remarks come despite repeated public statements by Emmerson Mnangagwa that he will abide by the Constitution and step down at the end of his second term in 2028. The Constitution of Zimbabwe limits presidents to two five-year terms.
Opposition parties and civil society groups have consistently warned against any attempt to amend the Constitution to extend presidential terms, arguing such a move would undermine democratic principles and constitutionalism. Sections of the opposition have already said they would strongly oppose any effort to delay or cancel the 2028 elections.
ZANU PF has previously passed internal resolutions supporting the idea of extending Mnangagwa’s rule to 2030, though senior government officials have insisted that any changes would have to follow constitutional processes and secure parliamentary approval.
Analysts say Mavenyengwa’s comments are likely to fuel renewed political tension, especially as the President has sought to publicly distance himself from the so-called “2030 agenda,” insisting that Zimbabwe’s governance must remain anchored in the Constitution.
There has been no immediate response from the Office of the President or Cabinet regarding Mavenyengwa’s claims, while opposition leaders have reiterated calls for the protection of constitutional term limits and the holding of elections as scheduled in 2028.
