Own Correspondent
THE push to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa term to 2030 is now causing serious fights among the ruling party structure.
This comes after Zanu PF youth league, womens league and the war veteran league made resolutions that Mnangagwa should serve until 2030 for vision 2030 to be fulfilled. In that regard serious fights have emerged in some provinces as some party bigwigs no longer see eye to eye due to the proposal extending the presidential term.
For example in Mashonaland East, Zanu PF youth league secretary for Environment Batsirai Matiza is believed to have been poisoned as a way of silencing him against canvassing for Mnangagwa to remain in power until 2030. Matiza the son of the late national hero and former Transport minister Biggie Matiza is believed to be using his fathers wealth to be sponsoring the campaign.
Recently he donated more than 500 bicycles to youth in Mashonaland East where they later on embarked on road marching chanting 2030 VaMnangagwa vanenge vachi tonga (2030 Mnangagwa will be serving as president).
“One day Batsi came in and handed out 100 dollar bills to party supporters who were at the meeting. The boy is ambitious and he is using that money to canvas support for Mnangangwa’s term extension.
“He has plans to actually continue sponsoring the call for the extension of the President’s tem, even though he is facing stiff resistance from some members of the party within the province who are against the 2030 push,” a source said.
In Masvingo province, the chairperson Robson Mavhenyengwa recently gag party members to grant interviews to the media as this was promoting indiscipline in the province.
“It has come to our attention that some members have been misusing their access to media by sharing unauthorised information with the press.
“To maintain party discipline and consistency in communication only designated officials, as guided by the Provincial Chairman, are authorized to issue official party positions or commentary.
“All provincial executive members from Main Wing, Women’s League, Youth League and War Veterans League are urged to refrain from speaking to the press on behalf of the party unless explicitly authorised,” he said.
The youth league deputy secretary for administration, Danmore Mambondiyani, has been suspended by the party allegedly for resisting calls by some party members to push for an extension of Mnangagwa’s term beyond 2028.
Mambondiyani who comes from Manicaland was accused of trying to bribe the deputy secretary for youth affairs John Paradza and secretary for youth affairs Tinotenda Machakaire by trying to give them US$200 and US$100 respectively.
The divisions also took place in in Mashonaland West Province where party spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa and politburo member Ziyambi Ziyambi were caught in a heated debate amoid accusations and counter-accusations of interference with the grassroots process during the PCC meeting at the Chinhoyi University of Technology gym hall.
Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has not endorsed the slogan, instead urging discipline to achieve the 2030 vision after youth supporters chanted it.
In response, Vice President Kembo Mohadi has publicly supported the slogan, arguing that freedom of expression is protected by the Constitution. This has further complicated the situation, as internal divisions become evident.
