President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s ally and controversial figure, Uebert Angel, has publicly criticized a faction within the ruling ZANU PF party that is advocating for the extension of Mnangagwa’s presidency beyond the constitutionally mandated two-term limit.
The internal rift within ZANU PF has spilt into the public domain, exposing deep divisions within the party.
The Controversy
ZANU PF is currently split into two factions: one pushing for Mnangagwa to remain in office until 2030, and the other insisting on adherence to the constitutional term limits.
The pro-extension faction includes several high-profile government ministers, such as Jenfan Muswere (Information Minister), Daniel Garwe (National Housing Minister), and Tinoda Machakaire (Youth Minister).
However, their push for Mnangagwa’s extended tenure has drawn sharp criticism from Uebert Angel, who serves as Zimbabwe’s Ambassador at Large to Europe and the Americas.
In a recent sermon, Angel condemned the ministers’ actions, labelling them as “retrogressive” and damaging to Mnangagwa’s reputation.
Angel’s Rebuke
Angel, a polarising figure who made headlines in 2023 following his alleged involvement in a gold smuggling and money laundering scandal exposed by Al Jazeera’s Gold Mafia documentary, did not hold back in his criticism.
“We should be talking about targets for this road. Target next week. Target next week for this one. Target next week for that hospital. Target next week for this one,” Angel said during his sermon.
He accused the ministers of focusing on political manoeuvring instead of addressing the country’s pressing issues.
“Some of these politicians are the ones that give good people bad names because they party at night, but we, the public, get the hangover,” he added.
Angel also questioned the logic behind the 2030 debate, especially since Mnangagwa has publicly stated that he will not seek re-election after his current term ends in 2028.
“Why do you speak for the man who has already said, ‘I’m not going there. I’m not interested in that. Just do your thing,” Angel said.
Mnangagwa’s Stance Under Scrutiny
While Mnangagwa has repeatedly declared that he will not run for office in the 2028 elections, his silence on the faction pushing for his extended tenure has raised eyebrows.
Critics argue that his failure to publicly rebuke the pro-extension group undermines his commitment to constitutionalism and fuels speculation about his true intentions.
The ministers advocating for the extension—Muswere, Garwe, and Machakaire—have also faced criticism for their lacklustre performances in their respective roles.
Their push for Mnangagwa’s extended rule has been seen as a distraction from their failure to deliver tangible results for the country.
A Divided ZANU PF
The internal divisions within ZANU PF highlight the growing tensions within the ruling party as it grapples with leadership succession and governance challenges.
The public airing of these disagreements threatens to further fracture the party and weaken its grip on power.
Angel’s outspoken criticism adds another layer of complexity to the situation, as his close ties to Mnangagwa and his controversial past make his comments particularly noteworthy.
