Mash East calls on President to extend term

Sunday Mail Reporter

ZANU PF Mashonaland East has joined other provinces in urging President Mnangagwa to extend his term of office beyond 2028.

The province also called for an amendment to the Constitution to allow for the extension.

Speaking during a Goromonzi inter-district meeting yesterday, ZANU PF Mashonaland East provincial chairperson Cde Daniel Garwe reaffirmed the province’s support for President Mnangagwa’s leadership.

He said this position was unanimously agreed on by party members during the 21st National People’s Conference held in Bulawayo recently.

“On the last day of the conference, all committees, through their chairpersons, submitted their resolutions,” he said.

“After all the resolutions were read, Cde Chinamasa read that particular resolution last.

“Although it was read at last, it was the first one and it was at the top of all the resolutions, but he asked to read it last.

“The resolution said we all want Cde Mnangagwa to be there and lead Zimbabwe until the year 2030.

“No one or any group opposed that, and we all ululated.

“But afterwards, Cde Chinamasa tried to explain what the resolution meant, in accordance with how he understands the law.

“We then said, no, in a democratic country, it is allowed, and we said everyone is allowed to speak their mind.

“We then noted his thinking was against what we wanted, and we were the ones who had come with the resolutions. We then said Cde Chinamasa read the resolution, as had been written.”

Cde Garwe told party members that they were not barred from chanting the “ED 2030” slogan.

He urged party members to remain loyal to President Mnangagwa and avoid divisive tendencies, such as factionalism or premature campaigning for future elections.

“Others might be confused as to what to follow as the President said he is a constitutionalist, and it is true,” he added.

“Let us also follow the Constitution, which says after every five years, we go to the elections where we elect councillors, legislators and the President.

“The Constitution was made by people who sat down, and those people are us. But the Constitution is always amended from time to time. It can be revised at any time. God gave President Mnangagwa Vision 2030.

“The Constitution is not contradicting Vision 2030, but it is God-given and cannot be altered.

“It is the Constitution that we will then align to the vision. We will create an environment that will make sure the President will be compliant and remain a constitutionalist.”