Presidium backs President Mnangagwa: Minister Muswere

Samuel Kadungure
News Editor
THE ZANU PF presidium and war veterans remain steadfast in their support of President Mnangagwa’s continued leadership to drive the country’s economic, infrastructural and social transformation until 2030.
This development follows ZANU PF’s resolution to extend the Presidential term limit to 2030, passed as Resolution Number One at the party’s 21st National People’s Conference in Bulawayo in October last year.
President Mnangagwa has, however, maintained that he will operate within the confines of the Constitution, and will not go beyond his stipulated term in office.
Despite his stance, the ruling party structures have been unwavering in vouching for his continued stay at the helm to achieve the goal of becoming an upper-middle income country by 2030.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere, said the Presidium was unanimous in its desire for President Mnangagwa to remain in office beyond his current term.
This was buttressed by ZANU PF secretary for war veterans, Cde Douglas Mahiya who said ex-combatants will not allow the President to turn down the wishes of the people.
The two made the remarks during the launch of the Presidential War Veterans Fund, Presidential War Veterans Rural Home Scheme, and Presidential War Veterans Borehole Drilling Scheme at Dewedzo High School in Makoni West Constituency.
Special Presidential Investment Advisor to the United Arab Emirates, Dr Paul Tungwarara spearheaded the launch of the schemes, much to the delight of hundreds of war veterans, ex-political prisoners, detainees and restrictees who attended the event.
Manicaland became the latest to benefit after the rollout of the programme in Midlands, Mashonaland Central, Masvingo, Bulawayo and Mashonaland East. The launch, not only served as a financial boost to the beneficiaries, but also symbolises a broader recognition of the essential role they played in shaping the nation.
As of last Saturday, eight solarised boreholes had been drilled at war veterans’ homes in Manicaland within 48 hours as part of a pilot project expected to be expanded nationwide.
War veterans who attended the event were each given US$200.
Manicaland Province also received US$150 000 from the War Veterans Fund,
Minister Muswere, who is also the legislator for Makoni West and a ZANU PF Central Committee member, said there was nothing amiss about amending the Constitution as the supreme law has provisions allowing for that.
“To those who think there are divisions at the top, listen, there is no noise in the cockpit. There is unity. Do you think there is anyone who loves the President more than those in the Presidium? Those people are united. Our leaders are truly united. There is no disharmony, we are driving the boat towards 2030,” said Minister Muswere, adding that extension of President Mnangagwa’s term would be an opportunity to consolidate the ongoing economic, infrastructural and social transformation programmes to guarantee continuity in policies aimed at achieving Vision 2030.
He said the ruling party from districts to Central Committee passed Resolution Number One to amend the Constitution to allow the party leadership to continue for two years till 2030.
“There is nothing unconstitutional about amending the Constitution. The role
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of Parliament is multifaceted, encompassing oversight, representation, and legislative responsibilities, which include amending the Constitution. Notably, our current Constitution is not the first we have had. We began with the Lancaster House Constitution, and in 1999, a new Constitution was proposed, which went to a referendum where the majority voted against it.
“In 2013, under the inclusive Government, we adopted our present Constitution. Parliament’s duty is to enact laws, including delegating legislative authority to other legally and properly constituted institutions. Therefore, it is untrue to claim that a Constitution cannot be amended; after all, the Constitution is made for the people,” he said.
Minister Muswere also defended the First Lady’s philanthropic work across the country.
“I would like to address those who criticise the First Lady’s efforts. The truth is, she has done a wonderful job, and we remain resolute in our support for her cultural, humanitarian, health, and educational initiatives, which contribute to our country’s macro-economic growth. We should continue to support the First Lady. She has visited Makoni South, Headlands, and Makoni Central, and will also be visiting Makoni North to unite and assist us in various programmes. Her initiatives have attracted numerous investors, injecting significant funds, and we appreciate her efforts towards Vision 2030,” he said.
Minister Muswere added that ZANU PF is a robust institution with grassroots support, capable of overcoming opposition even if the constitutional amendment goes to a referendum.
“We have massive grassroots support as ZANU PF, and with the collective resolution we have passed, it is a foregone conclusion – we have already won, regardless of whether we proceed to a referendum or plebiscite. We must dispel the misconception that amending the Constitution is unconstitutional. Our Constitution has democratic processes in place for amendments,” he said.
Minister Muswere noted that there were some party members, who participate in Central Committee decision-making, and bypass internal remedies and platforms to discuss party issues in the media.
“When a decision is made, they are part of it. When asked if anyone opposes it, they do not raise objections. Instead, they want to discuss conference business in newspapers. We must be principled. If given the opportunity to express concerns, we should do so promptly,” he said.
Cde Mahiya said the war veterans were solidly behind President Mnangagwa’s continued leadership, and will not allow him to turn down the offer to prolong his stay in office and serve the people’s aspirations till 2030.
“War veterans are truly excited; the President has remembered us, and we wish for this to continue to happen because this did not happen over the past 40 years, and it is happening now. That is why war veterans are saying, Cde President, you are not going anywhere because you still need to do a lot for the war veterans. We will not allow the President to turn down what the people want. He needs to continue drilling boreholes, building houses, supporting the welfare of war veterans, and actualise the aspirations of the masses,” said Cde Mahiya.
Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza was optimistic that the schemes would boost agricultural yields.
“Our province mainly relies on agriculture; so with these boreholes, it means war veterans are now embarking on agriculture full throttle because water is very critical in their production.”
Minister of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs, Senator Monica Mavhunga said the Presidential Borehole Drilling Scheme will allow war veterans to embark on different income-generating projects together with their surrounding communities.
“Although this programme may have started late, we are glad that the President has initiated it, and now we are receiving water, loans, houses, and war veterans are undertaking various projects,” she said, further reaffirming war veterans’ support for the resolution to extend President Mnangagwa’s term to 2030.