OPPOSITION politician Nelson Chamisa has slammed President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s decision to declare his birthday a public holiday, alongside his apparent intention to remain in power beyond 2030, describing the developments as self-serving.
On Wednesday, Mnangagwa declared September 15, his birthday, an annual public holiday to be known as Munhumutapa Day through Statutory Instrument 148 of 2026 under the Public Holidays and Prohibition of Business Act. The holiday is named after the 15th- to 18th-century empire royal title.
Mnangagwa has also hinted that he could remain in office until 2035, during remarks at the Sanganai/Hlanganani Zimbabwe World Tourism Expo in Masvingo.
Asked by NewZimbabwe.com for his views on the developments, shortly after signing the book of condolences for the late European Union envoy H.E. Katrin Hagemann, Chamisa said such initiatives were a “pipe dream with very short legs.”
“Mugabe, this day, his birthday, was a holiday. Mnangagwa, his birthday is a holiday. The next leader, his birthday is a holiday. That’s totally unacceptable. It tells you that something is wrong,” he said.
Turning to Mnangagwa’s apparent 2035 presidential bid, Chamisa maintained that he does not recognise him as a legitimate head of state, citing unresolved concerns over the presidential election.
“Who is the president, by the way? You mean Mr Mnangagwa. Oh, you have to be specific because the presidential election remains an issue. When I said no to 2050, many people who do not have the giraffe anointing and the foresight of a giraffe started attacking me.
“Why are you not saying no to 2050? I was clear. I knew what they were trying to do and what they are doing now. He wants to be life president. But, you know, something happens when one gets to that office. It started with Smith. He said, not in a thousand years,” he said.
Chamisa described Mnangagwa as a victim of power delusions, accusing him of being unwilling to step down like his predecessor, the late former president Robert Mugabe.
“It started with Mugabe. Now, this one is also thinking that he will be there forever. But it’s all delusions. You know, there’s something that deludes people when they get to that office. I think something must be done to really exorcise the demon that is at the State House. People get drunk with power,” he added.
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