Vice President Constantino Chiwenga's supporters suffered political defeats at the ZANU-PF National People's Conference after delegates endorsed constitutional amendments to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa's term past 2028. Secretary for Legal Affairs Ziyambi Ziyambi rebutted Chiwenga's concerns about party control by influential figures at a tense Politburo session before the Mutare gathering. Political analyst Rejoice Ngwenya stated Chiwenga has not publicly declared succession intentions, and recovery from the setback requires extraordinary measures given Mnangagwa's party support.
The ruling party confronts legal obstacles under Section 91(2), which prevents third presidential terms, and Section 328(7), which blocks incumbents from benefiting from constitutional changes enacted while in office. A document attributed to Chiwenga claims ZANU-PF plans to introduce the Breaking Barriers Initiative in Parliament to suspend elections. Ngwenya dismissed the proposal as impractical and noted that silent opposition exists within party ranks despite public unity on the extension agenda.
The ruling party confronts legal obstacles under Section 91(2), which prevents third presidential terms, and Section 328(7), which blocks incumbents from benefiting from constitutional changes enacted while in office. A document attributed to Chiwenga claims ZANU-PF plans to introduce the Breaking Barriers Initiative in Parliament to suspend elections. Ngwenya dismissed the proposal as impractical and noted that silent opposition exists within party ranks despite public unity on the extension agenda.
