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Zimbabwe’s cabinet has approved draft legislation that could allow President Emmerson Mnangagwa, 83, to remain in office until at least 2030, according to proposals that would overhaul the country’s electoral system.
Under the draft bill, presidents would be elected by parliament rather than through a direct national vote and would serve a maximum of two seven-year terms, replacing the current five-year terms.
According to BBC, Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said public consultations would be held before the bill is taken to parliament, where the ruling Zanu-PF party holds majorities in both chambers.
Legal experts have warned of likely court challenges, arguing that such amendments require a referendum and cannot legally be applied to benefit a sitting president.
Mnangagwa came to power in 2017 after a military intervention removed long-time leader Robert Mugabe. He won elections in 2018 and again in 2023, though both polls were disputed by the opposition. His current term is due to end in 2028.
Hints that Mnangagwa might seek to extend his rule emerged two years ago when chants of “2030 he will still be the leader” began appearing at Zanu-PF rallies, with supporters claiming he needed more time to complete his “Agenda 2030” development programme. Mnangagwa has publicly denied seeking an extension.
Zimbabweans overwhelmingly endorsed presidential term limits in a 2013 referendum, when Mugabe’s 33-year rule appeared immovable.
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Mnangagwa, formerly Mugabe’s deputy until a political fallout driven partly by the ambitions of then first lady Grace Mugabe, has faced internal criticism over succession. One of his most outspoken critics within Zanu-PF, veteran politician Blessed Geza – widely known as “Bombshell” – died last week.
Geza, a respected former liberation war fighter and member of the ruling party’s central committee, had accused Mnangagwa of nepotism and apologised publicly for helping bring him to power, warning last year that the president intended to cling to office.
He was expelled from Zanu-PF for disloyalty and went into hiding, but continued to draw large online audiences with videos urging citizens to protest.
Hours before his death, a post on his social media platforms urged Zimbabweans to “carry forward the noble war” to remove Mnangagwa and “end the plunder of our country.”
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