Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa made a public remark suggesting his presence in the country’s affairs in nine years, a statement that has drawn attention to the country’s constitutional presidential term limits. The comment was made on May 24 during a groundbreaking ceremony for a new cricket stadium in the resort city of Victoria Falls.
While addressing attendees, particularly young people, President Mnangagwa spoke about the long-term development of the new facility and other national projects. According to reports from state media and independent news outlets present at the event, he said, “We, the elders, are building this for you. So you must keep it in good shape. Because in nine years’ time, I will still be around.”
The president’s statement has become a point of discussion because Zimbabwe’s 2013 Constitution sets a two-term limit for the office of president. Section 91 of the constitution states that a person is disqualified for election as president if they have already held the office for two terms, whether continuous or not.
President Mnangagwa is currently serving his second and final five-year term, which began after his victory in the August 2023 general election. His first full term started in 2018. According to the current constitutional provisions, his presidency is scheduled to conclude in 2028.
Prior to the president’s recent comments, some members of his ruling party, ZANU-PF, have publicly expressed a desire for him to remain in power beyond the 2028 limit. At party rallies and gatherings, supporters have been heard using the slogan, “2030 vaMnangagwa vanenge vachipo,” which translates to “In 2030, Mnangagwa will still be in office.” ZANU-PF officials have not formally proposed a constitutional amendment to change the term limits.
Opposition figures have voiced concerns over these statements and the president’s recent remark. In response to the ongoing discussion, Promise Mkwananzi, a spokesperson for the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), stated on social media that any attempt to extend presidential terms would be unconstitutional.
Amending the presidential term-limit clause in Zimbabwe’s constitution would require a two-thirds majority vote in both the National Assembly and the Senate.
The government has not issued an official clarification regarding the president’s comments at the groundbreaking ceremony. The remarks have placed the topic of presidential term limits at the center of political discourse within the country.
