’No Elections In 2028’, Declares Garwe

ZANU PF Mashonaland East provincial chairman, Daniel Garwe, has sparked controversy by suggesting that President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s tenure could continue past the scheduled 2028 elections. Speaking to a ZANU PF district coordinating committee on 11 August, Garwe hailed the President’s Vision 2030 economic blueprint as “unstoppable,” claiming that no force could derail it.

“There will be no election in 2028,” Garwe told party officials, emphasizing that the country would continue to focus on development regardless of political opposition. “We’re moving towards 2030, building the nation, whether anyone approves or not. Nothing can stop this agenda.”

Garwe appeared to take a subtle swipe at Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, widely seen as Mnangagwa’s potential successor. Mocking unnamed rivals, he referenced a bizarre traditional ritual, saying: “Some think plucking a live black chicken can change the outcome—but the one in charge remains Mnangagwa. Don’t waste effort on empty gestures.”

Extending Mnangagwa’s term beyond constitutional limits would require a formal amendment, a move that is expected to face strong opposition from rival political parties and dissenting members within ZANU PF itself.

Publicly, Mnangagwa has maintained that he will step down when his current term concludes in 2028. Behind the scenes, however, party insiders suggest that loyalists are exploring strategies to block Chiwenga’s rise and promote businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei as party leader during the 2027 congress. Under this plan, Mnangagwa would officially resign, but Tagwirei, installed as vice president, could effectively extend the ruling faction’s influence until 2030.

The comments from Garwe have intensified debate about ZANU PF’s internal succession dynamics and the potential constitutional and political battles that lie ahead as the country approaches the next election cycle.

ZimEye