Story by Tafara Chikumira
The ruling ZANU PF party says its First Secretary and President, Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa, has exceptional leadership skills that have seen an overwhelming endorsement of the Constitutional Amendment number 3 Bill, which seeks to, among other things, extend the electoral cycle from five to seven years.
The Bill, which among other provisions seeks to extend the electoral cycle from five to seven years, was passed with significant backing in the National Assembly this week.
ZANU PF Spokesperson, Ambassador Christopher Mutsvangwa, said the outcome demonstrates strong endorsement of the President’s leadership and the Government’s development trajectory since 2017.
“Our people supported the continuation of the President’s term. The position was supported by almost all Zimbabweans who participated in the process. There was so much enthusiasm about the process. Consultations went very well. Even in parliament, there was so much enthusiasm as people were prepared to debate throughout the night. During the debate, it was clear that the Parliamentarians supported the bill. The confidence that the People have in President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s rule is clear. In a short time, the President has turned the country around. Figures from the RBZ are showing a thriving economy. The import bills are also clear. This country is working so hard and managing to use the most difficult currency in the world.
“We have done well under President Mnangagwa. The granaries are full. We were supposed to be begging, but we no longer do that. We are on the verge of starting to export wheat. We are food secure, and CAB3 is speaking to the Presidential term, to extend it to 2030. His focus is now casting his net wide to the international community. Targeting Zimbabweans in the diaspora. Expect a surge in foreign direct investments. Everyone is now looking for minerals in the country. Lithium is proving to be one of the most sought mineral after it has been identified as critical by the top seven big countries. Zimbabwe has become a global value chain for the manufacturing of electric vehicles. So as a party, we are saying CAB is critical for national development,” he said.
Ambassador Mutsvangwa also dismissed social media commentary suggesting alternative political ambitions within the ruling party, saying such narratives were not reflective of official party communication channels.
“We have seen some social media posts propping up three or four people. This is not how we do business in the ruling party. I don’t want to dignify such posts, as they are outside our official communication channels. Those with ambitions just keep them to themselves. Give the population a break,” he said.
CAB 3 seeks to extend the electoral cycle for local authorities, President and parliament from five to seven years, among other critical clauses.
