NO PRESURE? Mnangagwa off to Namibia despite mass protests threat

By Political Correspondent

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa flew out to Namibia Friday monring for the inauguration of the country’s first female leader Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah won elections last year that extended the ruling party’s 35-year grip on power.

Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, became one of the few women leaders on the continent in a ceremony attended by heads of state from several African countries including Angola, South Africa and Tanzania.

Zimbabwe’s Mnangagwa was among teh regional leaders who attended the swearing-in, having left deputy Constantino Chiwenga as acting president.

The Zanu PF leader’s regional trup came at a time of tensions in the ruling party faction linked to Chiwenga has called for mass protests to force Mnangagwa to resign.

Security agencies have vowed to suppress any demonstrations.

Mnangagwa, 82, has repeatedly – at least five times since last year – said he would step down when his term ends in 2028, but Zanu PF is advancing plans to amend the Constitution to extend his rule by two years.

If successful, elections would be pushed to 2030, allowing Mnangagwa to influence his successor.

Some war veterans see this move as an attempt to sideline retired general Chiwenga from the succession race.

Mnangagwa first came to power in 2017 after a military coup ousted longtime ruler Robert Mugabe, ending nearly four decades of his rule. His ascent was backed by the military, including Chiwenga, who played a key role in the transition.

H.E. President @edmnangagwa arrives in Windoek for the inauguration of Namibia’s 5th and first female President, H.E. Netumbo Nandi Ndaitwah. The event is being held jointly with Namibia’s 35th independence celebrations. A number of Heads of State and Government have graced the… pic.twitter.com/QH12XLNyfs

— Presidential Communications Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 (@DeptCommsZW) March 21, 2025

State of play

Zanu PF official and war veteran Blessed Geza, who was expelled from the party on Tuesday, has called for nationwide protests on March 31, describing them as an “uprising.”

Geza, who went into hiding after calling for the President’s resignation, resurfaced online in military gear urging citizens to take to the streets.

Authorities arrested journalist Blessed Mhlanga for covering Geza’s calls for protests.

The reactions

State Security Minister Lovemore Matuke downplayed the protests, claiming they are fuelled by Zimbabweans abroad and insisting Mnangagwa remains popular.

“…we want to warn you that we are ready and we will be waiting to deal with you,” he said.

Zanu-PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa launched a public attack on Chiwenga at the weekend, calling him “illiterate” and “an electoral liability.”

What’s next?

Zanu-PF will hold its elective congress in 2027 to determine its next leader ahead of the 2028 general election.

Chiwenga, with military backing, remains a key player in the succession politics.

Analysts predict that the military will play a decisive role in shaping the party’s future.