Cabinet, Parliament next as 2030 resolution advances

The process to amend Zimbabwe's Constitution in line with Zanu-PF Resolution Number One, which seeks to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa's term of office to 2030, is nearing completion, Zanu-PF Secretary for Legal Affairs Ziyambi Ziyambi has said.

Ziyambi, who is also the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, said principles of the proposed amendment are expected to be taken to Cabinet when it resumes sitting in February, following President Mnangagwa's return from annual leave.

Once Cabinet has considered the principles, the amendment Bill will be introduced in Parliament. If passed, it will then be submitted to the President for assent.

Addressing the party's first Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) meeting for Mashonaland West this year, held in Chinhoyi yesterday, Ziyambi said the Constitution lawfully provides for amendments and that the current process is fully compliant with the law.

"Only the Bible is immune to amendment. The Constitution of Zimbabwe allows for changes and amendments, and that is exactly what we are following," he said.

He acknowledged that the proposed amendment is likely to face resistance from some quarters, but maintained that the process is constitutional and legally sound.

"When we made this resolution as Zanu-PF, it was for the party, not for President Mnangagwa. His personal input is of no significance because this is the will of the party," said Ziyambi, dismissing claims that the move was influenced by the President.

He added that once all legal procedures have been followed, President Mnangagwa would be constitutionally obliged to assent to the amendment.

"Be that as it may, the President cannot refuse to assent to the amendment because it will be beyond him once it is lawfully passed," he said, drawing loud applause from party members.

Ziyambi took a swipe at critics of the proposed amendment, accusing them of selectively defending the Constitution while ignoring provisions that allow for its amendment.

"We are going to encounter the so-called defenders of the Constitution who will attack this process," he said. "The Constitution was made by people for the people, and it allows for amendments where there is a need.

"Some will want to defend the Constitution as if it were the Bible's Ten Commandments. Only the Ten Commandments are immune to amendment."

Turning to internal party matters, Ziyambi urged Zanu-PF members in Mashonaland West to remain united and disciplined, saying unity was critical for productivity and the effective implementation of party programmes.

"Currently, the opposition is at its weakest and clueless, but there have been fights within the party that are derailing productivity. When we are united, we are more productive," he said.

He also warned party members against name-dropping and the misuse of senior leaders' names for personal gain.

Mashonaland West provincial chairperson Mary Mliswa-Chikoka said the province was ready for the Cell Verification Day scheduled for this coming Saturday.

She said the party was confident of winning the Chegutu Ward 1 seat in the February 21 by-election, following the death of CCC councillor Kimpton Mkombwe last December in a mine shaft collapse at Bluerock Mine in Gadzema.

Zanu-PF conducted primary elections on Monday to select its candidate, with former MDC-Alliance Chegutu West parliamentary candidate Gift Konjana emerging the winner. Konjana defected to Zanu-PF in 2023.