IN our NewsDay edition yesterday, we carried a story headlined Harare explodes over ED2030 slogan, which stated that the ruling Zanu PF party held an explosive provincial co-ordinating committee meeting, where members were ordered not to chant the contentious ED2030 slogan.
The slogan has caused growing discomfort not only in the ruling party, but also the voting population and other stakeholders.
A country run by a constitutionalist, as President Emmerson Mnangagwa tells us he is, should not be held to ransom by a few greedy individuals.
Despite coming to power on the back of a military coup in November 2017, Mnangagwa has done well by consistently holding elections when they are due.
Three times he has told us that after his term comes to an end in 2028, he will go home and rest.
What more does Zimbabwe want from a man who has given his word?
He has said it twice here in Zimbabwe and the third time overseas.
This means all those who are foisting the idea that Mnangagwa must stay on beyond his constitutional mandate are doing so to safeguard their own pockets.
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In 2027, Zanu PF will choose a new leader. The next year, Zimbabweans will choose a new President.
Everything is as clear as daylight.
Zanu PF apparatchiks should not pretend to be a misguided lot by wanting to impose Mnangagwa’s stay beyond the legal one.
Zanu PF has always been at loggerheads as a result of power struggles. But it should not cost Zimbabwe a better future. Zimbabwe deserves better, she is crying for development, growth, job creation, etc.
Unfortunately, Zanu PF squabbles are undoing all the positives the country had registered.
What is sad about everything is that no one in the ruling party is raising their fist high in the air calling for a stable currency, a stable economy, jobs creation. They are all talking about power, extending Mnangagwa's tenure.
Commonsense tells us that it’s a tall order for Zanu PF to amend the Constitution and effect changes that will see Mnangagwa staying in power until 2030.
First, it will need to go through two referendums. Second it needs to convince the whole of Zimbabwe to support the unpopular topic.
Zanu PF also knows that even if it forges ahead with the plans to amend the Constitution, Mnangagwa cannot be a beneficiary of the changes.
Hence knowing this, the trump card could be the pliant opposition, which will be used to support the idea of postponing elections by two years.
But then when a man says he does not want to continue, please let it be. Don’t force him.
Such actions saw us being saddled with Robert Mugabe who would sleep throughout meetings at home and abroad.
We cannot have another Robert Mugabe, no! When one’s time is done, it is done.
Mnangagwa should act promptly to put the house in order: Tell Zanu PF supporters to stop pushing the ED2030 agenda.
He has said he is sincere about going home to rest and we do not doubt him.
In fact, it is the best decisions to be made by a sitting leader, especially given the sweetness of power.
However, everyone is wondering why Mnangagwa is not saying anything yet he is the protagonist in the succession issue.
No matter the crescendo, he has kept quiet.
He should put a lid on the matter by telling his supporters that the subject is no longer up for discussion.
Mr President, just tell them: Stop it!
