THE ruling Zanu PF party is cracking down on internal dissent, warning members against airing internal disputes on social media as tensions escalate over a controversial push to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term.
Zanu PF is grappling with growing factional tensions linked to succession politics and the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment No 3 Bill (CAB 3), which is expected to be debated in Parliament this week.
The proposed constitutional changes — including extending electoral terms and altering how the President is elected — have intensified divisions within the ruling party, with rival factions emerging over Mnangagwa’s political future beyond 2028.
Some party elements are pushing to amend the Constitution to extend Mnangagwa’s presidency from 2028 to 2030, arguing that the move allows the government to complete its Vision 2030 economic agenda.
However, the proposal has reportedly triggered friction within the party, with other factions said to favour Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga as Mnangagwa’s successor.
Despite reports of internal divisions, official party communication has maintained a message of unity, insisting that party leaders remain aligned on national development goals.
Addressing a Zanu PF Youth League inter-district provincial meeting in Mutare yesterday, youth affairs deputy secretary John Paradza warned members against using social media platforms to attack party leaders or fellow members.
“Divisions are there in Zanu PF and it is allowed for you to raise your concerns, but through proper channels. We have proper structures and it is an offence to go on social media to attack each other, to attack a district coordinating committee member, central committee member or even your fellow party member,” he said.
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“Zanu PF has structures and this is why our organisation starts from the cells. Our party is going to be there forever, so let us continue to defend our party and support it.”
CAB 3 proposes major changes to Zimbabwe’s governance framework, including extending the electoral cycle and term limits for the President, Parliament, and local authorities from five to seven years.
It also seeks to replace direct popular presidential elections with a parliamentary system in which members of Parliament elect the President.
In addition, the Bill proposes the creation of a separate Zimbabwe Electoral Delimitation Commission and changes to the procedures for appointing the Attorney-General and judges.
Supporters of the Bill argue that the reforms are necessary to align governance structures with the country’s Vision 2030 development agenda, reduce election-related disruptions and cut the costs of frequent elections.
However, critics and civil society organisations warn that the proposed changes can weaken democratic accountability, undermine the “one person, one vote” principle and potentially extend Mnangagwa’s tenure beyond the current constitutional limit of five years.
Paradza called for unity among the party’s youths, describing them as a key pillar in defending the ruling party.
“We need youths who are united. We are the last line of defence of Zanu PF and the vanguard of the party,” he said.
“There is also the issue of the Constitutional Amendment No 3 Bill and we are supporting it as youths.”
Meanwhile, Zanu PF Manicaland Youth League chairperson Stanley Sakupwanya raised concern over delays in land allocation to youths in the province.
“I want to raise concerns about land distribution to youths. There is land in Odzi that was allocated to us a long time ago, yet we are still waiting to benefit from it. We might die without ever benefiting from that land,” he said.
