VIEWPOINT: Amnesty or Power Play? Mnangagwa’s bid to empty prisons stinks politics

By Norman Mwale [The PenPusher]

President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s 2026 amnesty, announced during a cabinet meeting this week, has sparked debate, with some questioning its true intentions, particularly in light of the raging political discourse on whether he should be allowed to stay beyond his presidential two-term limit or not.

Mnangagwa is set to pardon thousands of prisoners languishing in Zimbabwean jails under a new presidential clemency order ostensibly aimed at decongesting the country’s crowded correctional facilities.

The 2026 amnesty covers a wide range of convictions but excludes persons jailed for specified offences which include murder, treason, rape or sexual offence, carjacking, robbery, armed robbery, public violence, human trafficking, unlawful possession of a firearm, among others.

But while this could be a sound reason at face value, some political observers believe this could be a move to create prison room by the incumbent for opponents and activists who could be arrested in the next coming months as resistance against his 2030 ambitions gather momentum.

Ardent Robert Mugabe loyalist Jealousy Mawarire, writing on X, questioned the government’s motives.

He claimed the amnesty was strategically timed to clear space for anticipated anti-2030 political detainees.

“On the surface, you think this is a benevolent gesture by a compassionate, humane President, but with [Mnangagwa], everything is calculated for political gain,” Mawarire said.

“Word is that ED and Ziyambi Ziyambi have virtually emptied prisons, not out of empathy for the categorized prisoners, but to create room for anti-2030 political prisoners likely to accrue as the regime clamps down on any resistance to the unconstitutional term extension drive tabled in Cabinet yesterday.”

This, observers say, is all a deliberate attempt by Mnangagwa to bolster his position and potentially pave way for a term extension or even a third term.

The Zimbabwean constitution clearly limits a president to two five-year terms, with Mnangagwa’s current term set to end in 2028. However, his party, Zanu PF, has vowed support for extending his mandate until 2030, sparking fears of a backslide in the country’s democratic path and the consolidation of the authoritarian system that the incumbent has adamantly presided over.

Renowned author and political scientist Ibbo Mandaza notes that Mnangagwa’s statements are often strategic signals to manage factions within Zanu PF, rather than a firm commitment to the constitution. This move has intensified internal divisions, particularly with Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who is seen as a potential successor, expressing disapproval to the term extension.

The opposition and civil society have condemned the move as unconstitutional and politically motivated. Former Finance Minister and opposition stalwart Tendai Biti vows to defend the constitution against manipulation, stating, “We will fight corrupt cartels and syndicates that have systematically looted Zimbabwe and now want to take over the State.”

The proposed Constitutional Amendment Bill 2026 seeks to extend presidential terms from five to seven years, allowing Mnangagwa to stay in power beyond his current term in 2028.

The bill also proposes a parliamentary process for electing the president, rather than direct popular vote. Critics argue this undermines the 2013 constitution’s two-term limit, introduced after Robert Mugabe’s decades-long rule.

VP Chiwenga has readily expressed strong discontent over Mnangagwa’s proposed term extension. In a heated Zanu PF politburo meeting, Chiwenga accused the plan’s architects of “treasonous conduct” and warned against repeating past mistakes related to succession.

He has become increasingly vocal in opposing the removal of presidential term limits, which would allow Mnangagwa to stay in office until 2030 and potentially exclude Chiwenga from the succession race.

Chiwenga’s opposition is seen as a significant blow to Mnangagwa’s plans, given his influential position as a retired military commander and key figure in the 2017 coup that ousted Robert Mugabe. Analysts interpret Chiwenga’s remarks as a warning against life presidencies, signalling readiness to confront entrenched power.

The rift between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga has intensified, with Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi accusing Chiwenga of undermining the President. This internal conflict has sparked concerns about national security, Zanu PF stability and the country’s fragile democratic trajectory.

The international community is watching closely, with regional bodies like SADC and the AU likely to view the move as democratic backsliding. This could lead to increased reputational and diplomatic costs for Zimbabwe, exacerbating the country’s already fragile economic situation. The European Union and other international observers have previously criticised Zimbabwe’s human rights record and electoral processes.

The move has also sparked concerns about the country’s economic future, with investors already wary of the government’s poor handling of the economy. Zimbabwe’s GDP growth has been sluggish, and the country is struggling to attract foreign investment. The proposed constitutional changes are likely to further erode investor confidence.

As the political drama unfolds, Zimbabweans are left wondering what the future holds. Will Mnangagwa succeed in his bid to extend his term, or will the opposition and civil society be able to stop him? One thing is certain – the stakes are high, and the outcome will have far-reaching implications for Zimbabwe’s democracy and economy.

Norman Mwale, alias- PenPusher, is an author, literary editor, proof reader and journalist.