President Emmerson Mnangagwa says he does not want to stay in power after 2028. He says he will follow the constitution, which only allows two terms for a president. But what he says in public is very different from what is happening behind closed doors. His close friends and allies are pushing hard for him to stay in office until 2030. This is not a small campaign. It is well-planned, loud, and clear. And it is happening with Mnangagwa’s full knowledge.

Mnangagwa is trying to play a clever political game. By saying he does not want to break the constitution, he looks good to the public and the international community. But at the same time, he allows his allies to push for his third term. This way, if things go wrong or there is resistance, he can say it was not his idea. He can blame others and keep his image clean. But many Zimbabweans are not fooled. They know this game very well. They have seen it before under Robert Mugabe.

One of the strongest signs that Mnangagwa is planning to stay beyond 2028 is the loud support from his close friends. Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Owen “Mudha” Ncube, one of Mnangagwa’s most loyal supporters, has openly supported the third term idea. He was even recorded cheering for the campaign. He is not alone. Other top ZANU PF leaders have joined the call to extend Mnangagwa’s rule. Their support shows that this is not just random talk. It is a real plan.

But not everyone in ZANU PF agrees. Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga and his military-backed faction are not happy. They were promised that Mnangagwa would step down after his second term. Now, they feel betrayed. They see the third term campaign as a way to block Chiwenga from becoming president. This has created serious tension inside the party. The fight is no longer hidden. It is now open, with different factions pulling in different directions.

The danger here is not just political. It can lead to serious conflict. Chiwenga has strong support in the military. If he feels pushed out, he might not go quietly. This is the same man who led the coup that removed Mugabe in 2017. If he stood up to Mugabe, he can also stand up to Mnangagwa. If this power struggle continues, it could bring chaos to Zimbabwe. The country is already struggling with a broken economy, high inflation, and rising poverty. Another political fight will only make things worse.

Mnangagwa’s supporters say he is the only one who can keep the country stable. They are afraid that Chiwenga or anyone else will remove them from their powerful positions. They do not care about the constitution. They care about power and keeping their benefits. So they are doing everything to keep Mnangagwa in office, even if it breaks the law.

This is not new in Zimbabwe. For years, leaders have found ways to stay in power. They say the right things in public but do the opposite in private. They use their allies to push illegal plans while pretending to respect the law. Mnangagwa is doing the same. But the risk this time is bigger. The cracks inside ZANU PF are deeper, and the tension is more dangerous.

In the end, this third term campaign is not about what is good for Zimbabwe. It is about fear, greed, and control. The leaders pushing for it are not thinking about the people. They are thinking about themselves. And that is why Zimbabwe continues to suffer. Until leaders start respecting the constitution and the will of the people, nothing will change.

Zimbabweans must be alert. The signs are clear. What Mnangagwa says in public is not the truth. His allies are preparing the ground for 2030, not 2028. The people must decide if they will let history repeat itself or if they will stand up and defend the constitution. The fight for Zimbabwe’s future has already begun.