By Staff Reporter
Harare – MDC president Douglas Mwonzora has criticised efforts by war veteran Blessed Geza to rally opposition against President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s rumoured third-term bid, describing the initiative as an internal Zanu-PF power contest with no tangible benefits for ordinary Zimbabweans.
Speaking at the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions’ Workers’ Day commemorations on Thursday, Mwonzora said the MDC would not support demonstrations led by Geza, arguing that any leadership reshuffle within Zanu-PF would fall short of delivering the broader political change the country needs.
“If we are to change the president of Zanu-PF today, he will be replaced by another president of Zanu-PF. So there will not be any change of government, which is what we want as the opposition,” Mwonzora said.
While he aligned with calls to block any third term for Mnangagwa, the MDC leader emphasised that his party had no interest in influencing succession dynamics within the ruling party. “That is not for us,” he added.
Mwonzora also warned of the financial implications of a constitutional amendment to extend the president’s tenure, estimating the cost of the required two referendums at US$40 million. “There is no need for that,” he said, urging respect for constitutional limits. He noted Mnangagwa will have served effectively 11 years by the end of his second term, including the remainder of former President Mugabe’s term.
Geza, who fronts a Zanu-PF faction opposed to the extension, recently called for nationwide demonstrations and stay-aways. However, the calls were largely ignored amid worsening economic hardship.
