Emmerson Mnangagwa

Also known as: President Emmerson Mnangagwa · President Mnangagwa · Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa · Mnangangwa

Emmerson Mnangagwa — Zimbabwean president who signed constitutional amendments extending his term until 2030 and replacing direct elections with parliamentary appointment; recently handed over SADC chairship to Cyril Ramaphosa.

2018-07-272026-08-21

What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

August 2026
17 AugInformanté
President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe was acknowledged for his leadership and stewardship of the regional bloc as outgoing SADC chairperson
Source
“The South African president also used the summit to acknowledge outgoing SADC chairperson President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe for his leadership and stewardship of the regional bloc.”
SADC leaders push regional integration, industrialisation and economic growth
14 AugInformanté
Emmerson Mnangagwa will hand over SADC chairpersonship to Ramaphosa
Source
“A key item at the summit will be the handover of the SADC chairpersonship from Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the outgoing chairperson, to Ramaphosa, who will assume the position.”
Nandi-Ndaitwah to attend SADC Summit in Durban
14 AugThe Namibian
Emmerson Mnangagwa will hand over the SADC chairpersonship to Ramaphosa
Source
“The summit will also see the handover of the SADC chairpersonship from Zimbabwean president Emmerson Mnangagwa to Ramaphosa, who will become the incoming chairperson.”
Nandi-Ndaitwah to attend SADC summit
July 2026
8 JulThe Namibian
Emmerson Mnangagwa signed into law constitutional changes extending his term until 2030 and scrapping direct presidential elections
Source
“Zimbabwean president Emmerson Mnangagwa (83) on Tuesday signed into law constitutional changes that will extend his term by two years until 2030 and scrap direct presidential elections.”
Zimbabwe president signs into law constitutional change extending term
June 2026
21 JunThe Namibian
President Emmerson Mnangagwa previously described himself as a constitutionalist and pledged to respect term limits
Source
“The president had previously described himself as a constitutionalist and pledged to respect term limits.”
Zimbabwe MPs pass bill to extend president’s time in power
March 2026
16 MarThe Namibian
President Emmerson Mnangagwa promised to pay white farmers for infrastructure and improvements to land ($3.5bn)
Source
“Mnangagwa, as part of his mission to reform Zimbabwe's tarnished reputation following the toppling of Mugabe, promised to pay the white farmers for infrastructure and improvements to the land – a package that came to $3.5bn (£3bn).”
Will Trump help or hinder Zimbabwe's white farmers in their compensation battle?
February 2026
11 FebThe Namibian
President Emmerson Mnangagwa came to power in 2017 after a military coup ousted Robert Mugabe
Source
“Mnangagwa, who first came to power in 2017 after a military coup ousted long-time leader Robert Mugabe, won a presidential election the next year and a second term in 2023 – though the results were disputed.”
Bid launched to extend Zimbabwe president's term in office to 2030
11 FebThe Namibian
President Emmerson Mnangagwa is allowed by approved draft legislation to extend stay in office until at least 2030
Source
“Zimbabwe's cabinet has approved draft legislation that would allow President Emmerson Mnangagwa, 83, to extend his stay in office until at least 2030.”
Bid launched to extend Zimbabwe president's term in office
October 2025
3 OctThe Namibian
Emmerson Mnangagwa replaced former President Mugabe
Source
“Mugabe Sr was replaced by his former right-hand man Emmerson Mnangagwa.”
Robert Mugabe's son appears in court on drug charge
May 2025
27 MayThe Namibian
President Emmerson Mnangagwa signed into law a contentious bill requiring motorists to buy radio licence before acquiring vehicle insurance
Source
“Zimbabwe's president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, has signed into law a contentious bill that requires all motorists to buy a radio licence before acquiring vehicle insurance.”
Anger as Zimbabwean president approves new radio levy for motorists

World & Region

SADC leaders focus on integration, industrialisation at summit

The News

Southern African Development Community leaders gathered for their 46th Ordinary Summit in eThekwini have prioritised migration management, peace, security, job creation, industrialisation and deeper economic integration. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who assumed the SADC chairship, called for faster implementation of regional development plans, noting that intra-SADC trade accounts for only about one-fifth of the region's total trade and that SADC must process and beneficiate more of its own raw materials rather than exporting them.

17 August 2026 · Informanté →

Monday 17 August

SADC leaders focus on integration, industrialisation at summit
Southern African Development Community leaders gathered for their 46th Ordinary Summit in eThekwini have prioritised migration management, peace, security, job creation, industrialisation and deeper economic integration. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who assumed the SADC chairship, called for faster implementation of regional development plans, noting that intra-SADC trade accounts for only about one-fifth of the region's total trade and that SADC must process and beneficiate more of its own raw materials rather than exporting them.
17 August 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 14 August

Nandi-Ndaitwah attends SADC summit in Durban
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah will attend the 46th Ordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government in Durban on 17 August 2026, where regional leaders will deliberate on industrialisation, trade, infrastructure, peace and security, and witness the handover of SADC chairpersonship from Emmerson Mnangagwa to Cyril Ramaphosa.
14 August 2026 · Informanté →
Namibia's president to attend SADC summit in Durban
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah will attend the 46th Ordinary SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government in Durban, South Africa, on 17 August, hosted by South African president Cyril Ramaphosa. The summit will address regional industrialisation, value chains, intra-regional trade, infrastructure connectivity, and peace and security.
14 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 8 July

Zimbabwe president extends term, scraps direct elections via law
Zimbabwean president Emmerson Mnangagwa signed constitutional amendments extending his term by two years until 2030 and replacing direct presidential elections with parliamentary appointment. The changes, passed by parliament where Mnangagwa's Zanu-PF holds a majority and criticized by opposition as a "constitutional coup," also extend presidential and parliamentary terms from five to seven years.
8 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 21 June

Zimbabwe parliament passes bill extending presidential terms to seven years
Zimbabwe's lower house passed legislation extending presidential terms from five to seven years and scrapping direct presidential elections in favour of parliamentary selection, allowing president Emmerson Mnangagwa to remain in power until 2030. The bill, backed by 216 of 258 voting lawmakers, now moves to the senate and is expected to be enacted.
21 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 7 May

Ramaphosa met Zimbabwean businessman wanted in SA unaware
President Cyril Ramaphosa met with wealthy Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo, who is wanted in South Africa for alleged money laundering, during a visit to Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa's private farm. Ramaphosa's spokesperson said the president did not know in advance that Chivayo would be present at the informal meeting.
7 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 16 March

Zimbabwean white farmers pursue Trump lobby for land compensation
Zimbabwean white farmers whose land was seized during Robert Mugabe's rule are seeking help from Donald Trump's administration to recover $3.5 billion in unpaid compensation promised by President Mnangagwa, leveraging the US interest in Zimbabwe's rare-earth mineral deposits and the Trump administration's previous support for white farmers in South Africa. Some farmer groups have hired a Washington lobby firm with Trump administration ties to promote the compensation through US government support for debt relief and international financing, though the farming community remains divided on the strategy and some fear worsening relations between Washington and Harare.
16 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 11 February

Zimbabwe cabinet approves bill to extend president's term to 2030
Zimbabwe's cabinet has approved draft legislation allowing President Emmerson Mnangagwa to serve until at least 2030 by extending presidential terms from five years to two seven-year terms, with presidents chosen by parliament rather than direct vote. Constitutional experts warn a referendum is required for such changes and that amendments cannot benefit a sitting president, and legal challenges are expected.
11 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Zimbabwe cabinet approves bill extending president's term limits
Zimbabwe's cabinet has approved draft legislation that would allow President Emmerson Mnangagwa to remain in office until at least 2030 by extending term limits from five to seven years and allowing two consecutive terms instead of one. Constitutional experts argue a referendum is required and point out such changes cannot benefit a sitting president.
11 February 2026 · The Namibian →