President Emmerson Mnangagwa appears to have shifted attention from Zanu PF’s much-publicized “Vision 2030” agenda, instead directing the party’s focus toward the 2028 general elections, which he stressed must be won decisively.
This comes as the ruling party gears up for its 22nd National People’s Conference, set to take place in Mutare. Mnangagwa is in the middle of his second and final constitutional term, ending in 2028, although some loyalists have been lobbying for elections to be delayed until 2030.
During last year’s conference in Bulawayo, a resolution was passed proposing that Mnangagwa’s tenure be extended to 2030 and beyond. However, the suggestion sparked pushback from rival factions, including war veterans said to be aligned with Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, widely seen as a frontrunner to succeed him.
Speaking to the Central Committee on Thursday, Mnangagwa signaled that the Mutare gathering would be decisive in shaping the party’s future direction, with the thorny succession debate expected to dominate proceedings.
“We meet today just weeks before our 22nd National People’s Conference in the beautiful city of Mutare, Manicaland. This meeting comes at a time when we are past the halfway mark since the 2023 Harmonised General Elections. It is essential that we take stock, not only of our immediate programmes, but also with the broader goal of ensuring a resounding victory in the 2028 elections,” Mnangagwa said.
Internal rivalries remain intense, with business mogul Kudakwashe Tagwirei—recently appointed to the Central Committee—rumored to harbor presidential ambitions, while Chiwenga continues to draw strong backing from sections of the party.
Mnangagwa, however, urged unity, reminding members to remain rooted in the party’s founding values while staying committed to the broader Vision 2030 roadmap.
“As leaders, we must keep our members aligned to the party’s ideology, principles, and constitution. The revolution must keep moving forward, with grassroots structures well-organised, mobilised, and informed. We must work harder and with greater determination across all sectors to accelerate the achievement of Vision 2030,” he emphasized.
Meanwhile, in Parliament on Wednesday, opposition legislators demanded clarity on the government’s stance regarding the implementation of recommendations from the 2023 SADC Election Observer Mission, seen as crucial ahead of future polls.
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