24.10.202520:17by iol .co.zaWe want to come home: Zimbabweans in South Africa react to President Mnangagwa’s term extensionZimbabwe’s ruling Zanu PF party’ s proposal to extend President Mnangagwa’s term until 2030 has sparked a heated debate among Zimbabweans in South Africa, with opinions divided between those fearing political stagnation and others praising his leadership. Zimbabwe’s ruling Zanu PF party’ s proposal to extend President Mnangagwa’s term until 2030 has sparked a heated debate among Zimbabweans in South Africa, with opinions divided between those fearing political stagnation and others praising his leadership. News that Zimbabwe’s ruling Zanu PF party wants to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term of office to 2030 has drawn mixed reactions from Zimbabweans living in South Africa.
Many say the move reflects the deepening political stagnation that forced them to leave home in the first place, while others argue that Mnangagwa has performed better than his predecessor, Robert Mugabe, and deserves more time to continue the country’s recovery.IOL reported on Tuesday that Zanu PF had announced plans to begin the process of extending Mnangagwa’s term of office by two years— a move that, if successful, would keep him in power until 2030. The proposal was formally endorsed at the party’s annual national people’s conference in the eastern city of Mutare over the weekend, where delegates instructed government structures to start drafting legislation to amend the constitution.Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Community in South Africa, Ngqabutho Nicholas Mabhena, warned that the move would spell disaster for the landlocked nation. Many say the move reflects the deepening political stagnation that forced them to leave home in the first place, while others argue that Mnangagwa has performed better than his predecessor, Robert Mugabe, and deserves more time to continue the country’s recovery.
IOL reported on Tuesday that Zanu PF had announced plans to begin the process of extending Mnangagwa’s term of office by two years— a move that, if successful, would keep him in power until 2030. The proposal was formally endorsed at the party’s annual national people’s conference in the eastern city of Mutare over the weekend, where delegates instructed government structures to start drafting legislation to amend the constitution. Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Community in South Africa, Ngqabutho Nicholas Mabhena, warned that the move would spell disaster for the landlocked nation.
Read Full Article on The Zimbabwean
[paywall]
“As the Zimbabwe Community in South Africa we condemn the action taken by Zanu PF to propose postponing elections to 2030. We want to participate in the elections in 2028. We want the parliament in Zimbabwe to give way for the diaspora vote,” Mabhena told IOL.“All of us, given what is obtaining in South Africa, with Operation Dudula and other anti-migrant organisations, we believe that we can only stabilise our economy when we have resolved the political question.
The political question can only be resolved through an election. If elections are postponed, we do not see any resolution of the political question, which would lead to rebuilding of the Zimbabwean economy so that we who are in South Africa can return home.”On the other hand, prominent businessman, lawyer, and socialite Moreboys Munetsi said his main concern was helping the large number of Zimbabweans in South Africa who continue to face challenges around documentation, healthcare, and employment. We want the parliament in Zimbabwe to give way for the diaspora vote,” Mabhena told IOL.
“All of us, given what is obtaining in South Africa, with Operation Dudula and other anti-migrant organisations, we believe that we can only stabilise our economy when we have resolved the political question. “People who are in the diaspora have been left out of economic opportunities in Zimbabwe’s sectors like mining and agriculture. The environment here in South Africa has become very hostile, especially to the Zimbabwe community — they really want to go back home.
What makes Zimbabweans continue to stay in South Africa is that they have no idea how to survive once they get home,” Munetsi told IOL.“Perhaps the government of Zimbabwe could avail some funding to help its people, particularly those who are in South Africa. You can see foreigners have been blocked from accessing hospitals and certain companies. So my observation is that Zimbabweans in South Africa desire to return home, but they do not know how to survive once they are in Zimbabwe.” “People who are in the diaspora have been left out of economic opportunities in Zimbabwe’s sectors like mining and agriculture. What makes Zimbabweans continue to stay in South Africa is that they have no idea how to survive once they get home,” Munetsi told IOL.
[/paywall]
