Published: 6 hours ago

Zanu-PF Secretary for Legal Affairs, Ziyambi Ziyambi, has defended the ruling party's controversial resolution to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa's term beyond 2028, saying it fully aligns with the provisions of the party's constitution.

Speaking during a Mashonaland West Provincial Co-ordinating Committee (PCC) meeting held in Chinhoyi recently, Ziyambi said the decision - known as Resolution Number 1 - conforms to Section 6 of the Zanu-PF constitution, which mandates the implementation of all resolutions adopted by the party's conferences.

"The resolution stood the rigorous test of procedure," Ziyambi said, stressing that it had passed through all appropriate party structures before adoption.

He explained that the proposal to extend Mnangagwa's tenure originated from grassroots inter-district meetings in various provinces, before being presented to PCC meetings and ultimately endorsed at the party's Annual National People's Conference.

"Once adopted, the resolutions are binding for every member, and the disagreeable minority should go with the party position," Ziyambi said.

The resolution, which calls for President Mnangagwa to remain in power beyond the constitutional limit of two terms ending in 2028, has sparked national debate. Critics view it as a potential step toward amending Zimbabwe's Constitution to remove presidential term limits - a move reminiscent of similar efforts in other African nations.

However, senior Zanu-PF officials have maintained that the resolution reflects grassroots sentiment within the party and is consistent with internal democratic processes.

President Mnangagwa has previously dismissed speculation that he intends to seek an extension of his rule, insisting that his current term - which began after the 2023 general elections - will be his last in accordance with the national Constitution.
- online