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Uprising against Mnangagwa’s third term bid could put SA under pressure
By Lenin Ndebele I The Sowetan
Potential political instability posed by calls in Zimbabwe for President Emmerson Mnangagwa to step down from within his ruling party Zanu-PF could present challenges for SA, which has its pressing economic challenges.
Two major socio-economic problems in SA namely unemployment and poverty are relatively worse in Zimbabwe. As such, Zimbabweans who find the going tough back home see SA as a viable destination and land of opportunity.
“There are no pain killers in major hospitals in Zimbabwe. I would rather risk insults in SA but at least get some treatment when I fall sick.
“We are [stuck] between a rock and a hard place. SA should brace, as usual for our influx,” he added.
In February, SA announced a sweeping nationwide operation to clamp down on illegal immigrants.
But with uncertainty for many in Zimbabweans growing due to political bickering within the ruling party, many could be considering heading to SA.
Stevenson Dlamini, an economist from Zimbabwe said SA should be concerned about the political situation up north because it could lead to a strain on SA’s public services and infrastructure.
“SA has on numerous occasions struggled with unregulated Zimbabwean economic and political refugees. Not long ago (2023), an SA doctor (Phophi Ramathuba) despite diplomatic pressure later, in a raw manner spoke the language of ordinary South Africans. She was not politically correct but she exposed what a political failure in Zimbabwe reflected on SA,” he said.
SA is Zimbabwe’s biggest trade partner and while Zimbabwe is SA’s gateway into Africa. Therefore, a politically insecure Zimbabwe is bad for business, according to Dlamini.
Fissures inside Zanu PF developed at last year’s October conference in Bulawayo when a section aligned to Mnangagwa passed a motion to extend his term.
They proposed a two-way strategy; to extend his current term which ends in 2028 by two years or to change the constitution to allow him a third term that will see him stay on until 2034.
Mnangagwa insists he won’t stay beyond his constitutional term. But as the party’s most senior member, the First Secretary he has not stopped those calling for constitutional change.
That’s why Blessed Geza who at the time was a member of Zanu-PF’s central committee, decided to be the face of those resisting Mnangagwa’s extension.
Geza boldly mentioned people he called “the looting mafia and political criminals aiding Mnangagwa to butcher the constitution for their selfish ends”.
