JUST IN: ZIMBABWE CABINET APPROVES CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES TO EXTEND 83 YEARS OLD MNANGAGWA’S TENURE

ZIMBABWE CABINET APPROVES CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES TO EXTEND MNANGAGWA’S TENURE, OPPOSITION KICKS

Zimbabwe’s cabinet has approved proposed constitutional amendments aimed at extending the tenure of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, a move that has triggered sharp reactions from opposition figures and democracy advocates across the country.

The decision, announced on Tuesday, seeks to alter key provisions of the constitution in ways that could keep the 83-year-old leader in office until 2030.

President Mnangagwa came to power in 2017 following a military-backed intervention that ended the nearly four-decade rule of former president Robert Mugabe. Under the current constitution adopted in 2013, Zimbabwean presidents are limited to two five-year terms.

According to a post-cabinet statement, the proposed amendments include extending the presidential term from five to seven years and transferring the power to elect the president from the electorate to parliament.

Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi disclosed that the draft bill would undergo legal review by the Attorney-General before being published in the Government Gazette and formally presented to parliament for consideration.

Opposition politicians and constitutional analysts have, however, warned that such far-reaching amendments would require approval by a two-thirds majority in both chambers of parliament, as well as endorsement through a national referendum.

The ruling Zanu-PF party has for months promoted what it describes as a “2030 agenda,” a plan critics say is designed to prolong Mnangagwa’s stay in power beyond the constitutionally permitted period.

Several opposition leaders have vowed to resist the amendments, describing them as an attempt to undermine democratic norms and constitutional governance. Attempts to organise protests against the proposal have reportedly been met with police crackdowns, leading to multiple arrests.

The cabinet, however, defended the amendments, arguing that they would promote political stability and policy continuity, allowing long-term development programmes to be completed without disruption.

Other proposed changes include expanding the Senate by allowing the president to appoint an additional 10 senators, increasing the upper chamber to 90 members.

Reacting to the development, opposition figure and Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart insisted that any amendment with the effect of extending an incumbent’s tenure must be subjected to a national referendum.

Democracy advocate and constitutional law professor Lovemore Madhuku described the cabinet’s move as unacceptable, warning that it could trigger serious political instability in the southern African nation.

Zimbabwe’s opposition, weakened by years of political repression and internal divisions, has struggled to mount sustained resistance to the proposed changes.

Rights lawyer Paida Saurombe described the cabinet’s decision as a troubling moment for the country’s constitutional order, warning that the foundations of democratic governance were under threat.

Zimbabwe continues to grapple with economic challenges, including high inflation, unemployment, and currency instability, issues critics say have been worsened by alleged corruption and governance failures under the current administration.