Zimbabwe’s ruling Zanu-PF party is experiencing a significant internal rift, fuelled by ongoing efforts to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term beyond the constitutionally mandated 2028 elections. This push has ignited a fierce confrontation between the party’s youth league, largely supportive of the “2030 agenda,” and war veterans, who are vehemently opposed to it.
The latest escalation involves a direct threat from Mnangagwa’s youth loyalists to confront war veterans who have openly called for the president to step down. This mirrors a similar situation in 2017, when youth loyal to then-President Robert Mugabe vowed to fight to maintain his rule despite widespread calls for his resignation due to age and failing health. Kudzai Chipanga, who led those youth at the time, later issued a public apology for their actions on state television.
Garwe said at a meeting with civil servants in Masvingo, “the party would soon act decisively against Geza to unmask his master, adding that he would soon be arrested over corruption.” He also stated, “Addressing civil servants in Masvingo, Garwe said the party would soon act decisively against Geza to unmask his master, adding that he would soon be arrested over corruption.” and praised US President Donald Trump for listing over 500 Zimbabweans for deportation, saying they deserve that as punishment for attacking Mnangagwa on social media.
Geza responded by questioning Garwe’s mental health, stating, “If you looked at his eyes while he was speaking, they looked like a torch, and from one glance, you can tell that he is not mentally balanced.”
He further challenged Garwe, stating, “If he continues, I will beat him up. I will go to his office and thoroughly beat him.”
Geza, a prominent figure in the 2017 push to oust Robert Mugabe, also accused Garwe of land grabbing and predicted his imprisonment.
He added, “He should stop misleading people that I will be arrested, for what, I have gone through court processes and I was acquitted. This is what happens when someone like him forgets to take his pills.”
Information Minister Jenfan Muswere also criticised Geza, prompting Geza to accuse Muswere of childish behaviour.
Meanwhile, Mnangagwa’s supporters mobilised Harare youths for a march to Zanu-PF headquarters, chanting slogans in support of the 2030 agenda and declaring war on the war veterans. The march, originating from Mbare, caused significant traffic disruption. Reports indicate that some participants were intoxicated and openly smoking cannabis.
The meeting at party headquarters was not fully attended, suggesting opposition to the 2030 agenda within the party’s grassroots structures. Senior Zanu-PF officials, including John Paradza (deputy secretary for youth affairs), Emmanuel Mahachi (provincial youth leader), and Goodwill Masimirembwa (provincial chairperson), were present.
Paradza addressed the meeting, stating, “I am not a pastor. When I was introduced I was not introduced as a pastor. What I am seeing on social media trying to intimidate us will not work,” Paradza said in his address.
Masimirembwa declared that the 2028 elections would be postponed, stating, “There will be no elections in 2028,” he said. “We have a war cry. That is 2030 war cry and we are committed to this resolution, which awaits implementation “I want to salute the young women for ED for singing at Heroes Acre praising President Emmerson Mnangagwa not the few individuals who were sponsored. This will not happen again.” Mahachi described the youth march as a show of force against calls for Mnangagwa’s resignation.
However, the General Chiwenga Voluntary Supporters Association condemned the youths’ actions, issuing a statement that read: “The general is not just an individual; he is an institution, a custodian of the liberation struggle, and a symbol of the people’s will,” the secretary general of the association Ntokozo Msipa said in a statement.
“Any attempt to undermine him is an attempt to rewrite the history of our struggle, and that shall not be permitted. The association is issuing an activation notice to our ground forces.”
Opposition to the 2030 agenda extends beyond Zanu-PF. Zapu leader Sibangilizwe Nkomo strongly condemned the proposal, stating, “Extending Mr Mnangagwa’s draconian rule beyond the constitutional limit set for 2028, amounts to the extension of industrial scale looting, unemployment, poverty, crime and low life expectancy for Zimbabweans,” Nkomo said.
“Only the merchants of death and suffering can agitate for the extension of Mr Mnangagwa’s presidential term even by a week. There is no vision that Mr Mnangagwa is presiding over. In reality, Zimbabweans will actually be poorer and more hopeless than ever before..”
War veterans, church leaders, and civic groups have also voiced their concerns, describing the proposal as unconstitutional. Accusations against Mnangagwa include tacit support for the 2030 agenda through his failure to publicly reprimand his supporters who continue to promote it.