IT seems opposition leader Nelson Chamisa’s political career as presidential candidate will be rescued by the most unlikely person: President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The MDC leader’s political career hangs by a thread after key ZANU-PF wings, the War Veterans and the Women’s League, moved proposals to review the minimum age for presidential candidates from the current 40 years to 52. The party wings contend that Chamisa has shown political immaturity.
If adopted by the ruling party’s ongoing annual people’s conference in Esigodini, the ruling party will use its two-thirds parliamentary majority to block Chamisa from contesting presidential elections until at least 2033.
But President Emmerson Mnangagwa has reportedly poured cold water on plans by the Zanu PF Women’s League and the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) to bar opposition leader Nelson Chamisa from contesting in the next two elections.
Deputy Minister of Information, Publicity & Broadcasting Services Energy Mutodi distanced Mnangagwa from the proposals saying that Mnangagwa would never support such a proposition.
Said Mutodi on Twitter: “Let me make it clear that His Excellency President ED Mnangagwa will not seek to outdo his rival in the last election Nelson Chamisa by increasing the age limit for Presidential candidates.
“Instead, his policies and actions will do the bidding for his next term.” ₪
