Promises unkept, progress stalled: Mnangagwa’s 2030 term bid rejected

Zimbabwean citizens have expressed a lack of confidence in President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s proposed term extension to 2030, arguing that his leadership has not delivered significant development during his tenure.
These views were shared during an X Space discussion hosted by Asakhe Online on Tuesday. The session aimed to gauge public opinion on the president’s 2030 vision.
Some Zanu-PF members and Mnangagwa allies have advocated for extending his term, claiming he needs more time to achieve the goals outlined in his national development strategy.
One participant, Njabulo, criticised the proposal, stating that extending Mnangagwa’s term by two years would not result in meaningful change, given the numerous unfulfilled promises since the 2018 elections.
“The ruling party is overly focused on the opposition, yet we pay taxes for improved service delivery and national development. Mnangagwa has failed to deliver on his promises. For instance, he pledged free education in 2018, and now it’s 2025. He also promised to end load shedding at a rally, but the situation has worsened, and no one is holding him accountable,” Njabulo said.
“How can we give him more time when he hasn’t addressed the economic challenges we face? Our children were swept away by water in the Limpopo River, yet he remains silent on the issue.”
Another participant, Leonard Koni, expressed frustration, stating that citizens are unwilling to endure more years under Mnangagwa’s leadership due to the lack of progress since he took power in 2017.
Former Cowdray Park opposition legislator Pashor Sibanda questioned the motivation behind the push for the 2030 project, especially so soon after the last election.
“Mnangagwa has held various government positions over the years. Why is this push happening now? What changes does he think he can make after all this time? Where else in the world do people start planning for the next election just a year after the last one?” Sibanda asked.
Former opposition CCC spokesperson Ostallos Siziba argued that extending the presidential term violates Zimbabwe’s constitutional laws as well as regional and international standards.
“Legally, Zimbabwe is governed by the Constitution and the African Charter on free and fair elections, which clearly state that elections can only be postponed due to a natural disaster, significant security concerns, or technical impossibilities faced by election officials,” Siziba said.
“Politically, Mnangagwa’s supporters claim that ongoing projects justify the extension, but when we look at the state of the country, it’s clear that little has changed.
“Let’s examine service delivery, the economy, unemployment, education, and healthcare. All have deteriorated. Corruption has risen, the debt crisis persists, and the economy has been increasingly privatised.”
Mnangagwa’s bid to prolong his stay in power received a boost after a faction of the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) led by Sengezo Tshabangu endorsed the move during a visit to the president’s farm in Kwekwe on Sunday.
READ: https://cite.org.zw/tshabangus-endorsement-of-mnangagwa-fuels-debate-on-oppositions-integrity/