MNANGAGWA WANTS TO RULE FOREVER

President Emmerson Mnangagwa wants to stay in power beyond the two terms allowed by the Zimbabwean Constitution. This is now clear, even though he used to say he would respect the law. When he became president in 2017 after a coup, he said he was a man who followed the Constitution. But what is happening now shows that he wants to change the rules and keep ruling.

Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi has started the legal process to make this happen. He said in a recent interview that Zanu PF is listening to its members, and the idea to keep Mnangagwa in power came from the grassroots. But many people believe this is not true. They think the top leaders in Zanu PF are the ones pushing this plan, not ordinary members.

At the Zanu PF conference in Bulawayo last year, this plan was discussed openly. Party members said Mnangagwa could rule until 2030 or even longer. They also admitted that changing the Constitution would be very difficult, but they are trying anyway.

Ziyambi explained how this process works. He said that after the party makes a resolution, each ministry looks at what needs to be done. If laws need to be changed, they begin the process. For a big change like this, which involves the Constitution, there will be two national votes (referenda). First, the Cabinet agrees on the idea. Then the Attorney-General writes a new Bill. After that, people across the country will be asked for their opinions. Then the Bill goes back to government lawyers and finally to Parliament.

Even though Ziyambi says everything will follow the law, many Zimbabweans are not happy with this plan. They see it as a trick to stay in power forever. They say this is not democracy. The Constitution was made to protect the people, not to help one man rule forever.

Zanu PF says the idea came from the people, from the grassroots. But many people believe this is a lie. They say this is just another way to steal power. They ask: how can people who are suffering every day, with no jobs and no food, care more about keeping a president in power than fixing their lives?

Some supporters of Zanu PF say Mnangagwa should stay to make sure there is stability. But others say that real stability comes from following the Constitution. If leaders can change the law any time they want, then Zimbabwe is not a democracy. It becomes a dictatorship.

Ziyambi said the government will not break the law, but critics do not trust this government anymore. They remember how Mnangagwa came to power through a coup. They also remember how elections are not free or fair. They fear that if Mnangagwa stays longer, things will get worse.

Right now, this plan is still at the beginning. Many things must happen before the law is changed. Parliament must agree. People must vote in a referendum. But in Zimbabwe, where Zanu PF controls everything, these things can be made to happen easily.

This is why many Zimbabweans are worried. They feel helpless. They feel like their voices do not matter. They feel like the same old story is playing again — one man wants to rule forever, and no one can stop him.

This is not just about Mnangagwa. It is about the future of Zimbabwe. If the Constitution is changed for one man, it can be changed again and again. There will be no limit to power. And when that happens, the people will always lose.

Zimbabweans must wake up. We must say no to this plan. Power must not belong to one man. Power must belong to the people. If we do nothing, Mnangagwa will rule forever, and our country will continue to suffer.