President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said publicly that he does not want to stay in power after his second term ends in 2028. But behind the scenes, there are signs that this is not true. Many of his supporters are openly pushing for him to stay beyond his term, and they are running a strong campaign to make it happen. This campaign is well-organized, and it looks like Mnangagwa knows about it and is supporting it, even though he is not saying it directly.

This shows that Mnangagwa has a secret plan to stay in power for longer. By denying it in public, he can avoid taking the blame if things do not go as planned. But many people in his party, Zanu PF, are not happy about this plan, especially Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga. Chiwenga and his supporters, especially those with military power, do not want Mnangagwa to stay in office beyond 2028. This has created tension within the party, as different groups are trying to protect their own power and future.

Even though Mnangagwa says he does not want to stay in power beyond his term, his close allies are showing that he actually does. For example, Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Owen “Mudha” Ncube, who is very close to Mnangagwa, was caught on video supporting the idea that Mnangagwa should stay longer. Many other close allies are also supporting this, and it is becoming clear that the plan is to extend Mnangagwa’s presidency.

This kind of thing is not new in Zimbabwe. Many leaders have done the same in the past. They say they will follow the law and respect the constitution, but in private, they work hard to stay in power. Mnangagwa’s public statements are just a way for him to have an excuse if things do not go as planned. He can then say that it was his supporters who wanted him to stay, not him.

The problem with this plan is that it could cause more problems in Zanu PF. The tension between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga is growing, and it could turn into a serious power struggle. Chiwenga has a lot of support from the military, and he may not allow Mnangagwa to extend his time in office without a fight. If this conflict gets worse, it could weaken Zanu PF and cause more problems in the country.

At the same time, Mnangagwa’s supporters are pushing hard for him to stay. They think he is the only one who can keep Zimbabwe stable and moving forward. They see Chiwenga as a threat to their power and their own interests. This is why they are ready to campaign for Mnangagwa to stay, even though the constitution does not allow it. They hope to protect their own power by keeping Mnangagwa in office.

In the end, Mnangagwa’s plan to stay beyond his second term may cause more division and conflict in the government and the ruling party. The campaign to extend his term limit shows that Zimbabwean politics is not always about following the law or doing what is best for the country. It is often about people trying to stay in power for as long as possible, even if they have to break the rules.

The next few years will show whether Mnangagwa’s plan will work or if the tension within Zanu PF will stop him. But one thing is clear: his public denial of wanting to stay in power is only part of the plan. Behind the scenes, his goal is to stay in office beyond 2028, and his allies are working hard to make sure it happens. Now, the question is whether Zimbabweans will accept this or if there will be a pushback against another leader trying to stay in power longer than the constitution allows.