RESIST THE 2030 POWER GRAB - by Nolanga Evangelista Ndlovu

By Nolanga Evangelista Ndlovu 

9th February, 2025

In late 2024, Zimbabwe faced a profound constitutional crisis as President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa sought to extend his tenure beyond the constitutionally mandated two-term limit, aiming to remain in power until 2030. This move starkly contravenes the nation's constitution, which unequivocally restricts any individual to a maximum of two five-year terms as president. The populace had anticipated the conclusion of Mnangagwa's rule in 2028, placing their faith in constitutional governance. However, it appears that the current administration is intent on manipulating the law to serve its own avaricious ambitions.

Mnangagwa's political trajectory is deeply entwined with the malfeasance within ZANU-PF. Serving as a close advisor to Robert Mugabe, he held various influential positions, including roles in foreign affairs, trade and commerce, judiciary services, and the secret service. The latter was notoriously employed to suppress dissent, leading to widespread human rights abuses. From the 1980s to the present, political violence has been a grim constant, with countless individuals subjected to torture, disfigurement, and extrajudicial killings.

This pervasive climate of fear and repression has compelled hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans to flee their homeland, seeking refuge from persecution and potential death. For many, this marks the beginning of an interminable suffering, rendering the prospect of returning to the land they once cherished increasingly remote.

As a former regional board member of ZimRights in Bulawayo, I have tirelessly advocated for justice and an end to political violence and inhumane treatment of regime opponents. This activism has made me a target of the ZANU-PF government, extinguishing any hope I might have had of returning to Zimbabwe.

Beyond the political turmoil, the nation's public services have deteriorated precipitously under ZANU-PF's misrule. The healthcare system is virtually non-existent, a dire situation exacerbated by the cessation of life-saving medications previously supplied by USAID. Basic services such as electricity, water, and transportation have become increasingly unreliable, with conditions worsening daily. How much longer will this regime be permitted to decimate the remnants of Zimbabwe's infrastructure and social services?

The current administration stands accused of:

1. Distorting the constitution to benefit a select few and entrench a counter-revolutionary cabal.
2. Exploiting the national treasury for personal enrichment, indulging in extravagant spending and opulent lifestyles.
3. Neglecting the masses while enriching a minority at the majority's expense.
4. Allowing hospitals to operate without essential drugs, causing widespread suffering.
5. Failing to provide education for children due to pervasive poverty.
6. Illicitly transferring funds to hidden foreign accounts, leaving the majority in abject poverty.

It is imperative to address these egregious violations of constitutional rights and shield the nation from this corrupt and ruthless cabal. Leveraging Zimbabwe's 62 mineral resources holds the potential to transform the country into an upper-income nation.

NO TO THE ZANU-PF REGIME'S 2030 AGENDA

The proposed extension of President Mnangagwa's term not only subverts the constitution but also undermines the democratic aspirations of the Zimbabwean people. This blatant power grab must be resolutely opposed to preserve the nation's democratic integrity and ensure a prosperous future for all citizens.

About the author 

Nolanga Evangelista Ndlovu is a human rights activist based in the United Kingdom. She is a member of The UK Chapter of Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe. She is also a member of CCC UK and a former Bulawayo regional board member of ZimRights. She can be contacted by email at evangenoe@gmail.com