“Zimbabweans Are Very Imaginative”: President Mnangagwa Dismisses Claims That He Wants To Run For A Third Term

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has dismissed speculations that he is eyeing a third term powered by a constitutional amendment.

“2030 Ndendichipo”

Over the past few months, there has been chatter that the President wants to extend his rule beyond 2028. A few years back, he surprised people when he exclaimed, “2030 ndendichipo.” Some supporters have been calling for a third term at ZANU PF rallies.

Constitutionally, President Mnangagwa is now in his second and last term and is ineligible to run for another.

For President Mnangagwa to run again, Section 91 of the Constitution should be amended by a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly and the Senate. Some have accused the ruling party of using Sengezo Tshabangu to expel opposition MPs to pave the way for a two-thirds majority.

ALSO READ: Clearing the Air: Zanu PF Addresses President Mnangagwa’s Potential Run for a Third Term in 2028 Elections

The Constitution disqualifies anyone:

“for election as President or appointment as Vice President if he or she has already held office as President for two terms, whether continuous or not, and for the purpose of this subsection, three or more years’ service is deemed to be a full term”.

If amended, President Mnangagwa is ineligible to run for a third term. Section 328 (7) specifies:

“Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, an amendment to a term-limit provision, the effect of which is to extend the length of time that a person may hold or occupy any public office, does not apply in relation to any person who held or occupied that office, or an equivalent office, at any time before the amendment.”

This section can only be changed by a referendum.

President Mnangagwa Speaks On Third Term

President Mnangagwa Third Term — *President Mnangagwa Dismisses Claims That He Wants To Run For A Third Term [Image: Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa/Facebook]*

ED has publicly addressed talk of him wanting to extend his presidency beyond what the Constitution allows.

He said in an interview:

“Well, I am very happy that Zimbabweans are very imaginative. They can imagine anything, which shows there is democracy in the country, you see. But we in ZANU PF are very democratic, and we obey the Constitution. There is not an iota of evidence where ZANU PF or I, as President, has ever expressed the violation of our Constitution. But we allow people to dream properly or widely. They will still wake up and find things are working and the Constitution hasn’t changed.”

The post “Zimbabweans Are Very Imaginative”: President Mnangagwa Dismisses Claims That He Wants To Run For A Third Term appeared first on iHarare News.