PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has issued a stern warning to the Zanu PF youth league, demanding strict adherence to party structures and exposure of members who form factions within the party.
The directive comes amid escalating internal friction over Constitutional Amendment No 3 Bill (CAB 3), which seeks to extend his presidency beyond the 2028 constitutional limit.
Addressing the party’s youth league at the Zanu PF headquarters yesterday, Mnangagwa emphasised that the youths must remain the disciplined vanguard of the movement.
“At the national level, I challenge you to rise to the assignment before you as the youth, under the 4th Chimurenga, with conviction and unflinching patriotism,” he said.
“Always expose and reject those bent on sowing seeds of division, derailing national development, peace, and unity through negativity and despondency.”
Mnangagwa also warned rogue elements attempting to bypass established protocol.
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“We can never sustain a strong, modern, adaptive, resilient revolutionary mass party and country based on weak principles. Revolutionary unity, patriotism, loyalty, discipline, integrity and productivity are irreplaceable values.
“These are the pillars that guarantee the perpetuity of a people and a party, as opposed to those who fall on the wayside,” he said.
The consolidation of the “2030 Agenda” via CAB 3 faces quiet, but fierce resistance from a faction loyal to Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga.
Chiwenga, the former military general who engineered the 2017 transition, is widely reported to lead the anti-CAB 3 faction to preserve his path to the presidency in 2028.
The underlying tension exploded into the public domain following Chiwenga’s explosive “Hezekiah speech” at a Roman Catholic gathering in Murehwa.
Addressing congregants, Chiwenga delivered a highly-calculated biblical analogy from 2 Kings 20, recounting how King Hezekiah begged God for an extra 15 years of life.
Mnangagwa reiterated that members in the youth league should respect party structures and avoid misalignment with party stipulations.
“Our party is for everyone; it is built on clear rules and structured operations. As youth leaders, you cannot simply do whatever you want. Respect the rules and stay aligned with them,” he said.
“We joined this party in the 1960s, and we are still part of it today because we never strayed. Remain disciplined and straightforward.
“I call upon you to reject the temptation of fence-sitting, empty applause, and grandstanding. Instead, steer the party and communities towards productivity and the realisation of a higher quality of life. Let us always place Zimbabwe above self-interest.”
CAB 3 proposes extending the presidential term from five to seven years, with the change applying to the incumbent, thus allowing Mnangagwa to remain in office until 2030 without a fresh mandate of the people.