Zanu PF considers postponing 2008 presidential poll

By Lance Guma
25 September 2006

The ruling Zanu PF party has confirmed long held suspicions it wants to postpone the 2008 presidential poll and prolong Robert Mugabe’s tenure in power. Party spokesman Nathan Shamuyarira told the state media the move was meant to consolidate the presidential and parliamentary elections in 2010. Analysts have however said the idea is to give Mugabe two extra years in charge and give breathing space to Zanu PF, which is currently torn by a bitter succession power struggle. A collapsed economy is also thought to be at the centre of Zanu PF’s worry that they are likely to lose a poll in 2008.

Zanu PF is in the midst of a vicious power struggle and the arrest of several prominent politicians on corruption charges has been viewed as part of this jockeying for power. Although Shamuyarira made it clear these were still proposals it’s a given they will push them through, courtesy of a parliamentary majority controlled by Zanu PF. Speculation had initially centred on Vice President Joyce Mujuru taking over in 2008 by way of a vote in parliament before she could face a presidential election in 2010. This was thought to be sufficient time to help her build up her political clout. Now it seems Mugabe is the intended beneficiary of the move.

The opposition have meanwhile described the announcement as clearly going against the will of the people. Nelson Chamisa the spokesman for the Tsvangirai MDC says ‘the move shows how those in power are losing touch with reality.’ He says Zanu PF is not Zimbabwe and cannot make unilateral decisions on who should govern them. Chamisa warned that as a party they would not sit idly by and watch Zanu PF implement the constitutional changes. ‘Zimbabwe belongs to the people and it’s the people who will decide their destiny,’ he added.