ZANU PF secretary for legal affairs, Patrick Chinamasa, has become the latest senior party official to chant the slogan in support of manoeuvres to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term to 2030.
Chinamasa was in Manicaland a few days before a provincial co-ordinating committee meeting where he chanted the Mnangagwa 2030 slogan.
In the slogan captured on video and in possession of NewsDay, Chinamasa emphasised that Mnangagwa will still be ruling in 2030.
Mnangagwa has been accused of using acolytes and party structures to test the waters for his bid to extend his term in office.
His supporters have since coined the slogan: “VaMnangagwa vanenge vachipo kusvika 2030 (Mnangagwa will be with us till 2030).” The Constitution, however, does not allow an individual to lead the nation beyond two presidential terms.
In an interview yesterday, provincial chairperson Tawanda Mukodza said Chinamasa attended the restructuring meeting in Mutare.
Mukodza started the 2030 slogan in Manicaland Province.
“It’s very true comrade Chinamasa was assigned to Manicaland for the restructuring exercise,” he said.
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“We are happy with the level of unity in the province and we are hoping that we are going to continue to be united in the province after we won resoundingly in the 2023 elections.”
Chinamasa was not reachable for comment despite repeated efforts. Midlands Provincial Affairs minister Owen Ncube has been publicly sloganeering in favour of Mnangagwa’s term extension beyond 2028.
Political analyst Rejoice Ngwenya commented: “This is dangerous ... anything can happen in Zanu PF.”
Another political analyst Tendai Reuben Mbofana said there are opportunists in Zanu PF.
“They are testing the waters. They know if they fail to read the game it will be a disaster to them and they will end up being the likes of Saviour Kasukuwere and Jonathan Moyo, among others who are now operating outside the country,” he added.
Zanu PF director of information Farai Marapira said there was no factionalism in the ruling party, adding that everyone was solidly behind Mnangagwa.
Last weekend, apostolic sects gathered for a national prayer in Chitungwiza turned the event into a campaign rally in favour of Mnangagwa’s presidency.
