ED2030 resolution Constitution amendment nears completion

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, the party's Secretary for Legal Affairs, Ziyambi Ziyambi, has said.

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

Once Cabinet has considered the principles, the Constitutional Amendment Bill will be introduced in Parliament. If approved by Parliament, the Bill will then be forwarded to the President for assent.

Addressing ZANU PF's first Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) meeting for Mashonaland West this year, held in Chinhoyi on Saturday, Ziyambi said the Constitution provides lawful mechanisms for amendments.

"The Constitution of Zimbabwe allows for changes and amendments, and that is exactly what we are following," he said, adding that no law is immune to change.

He acknowledged that the proposed amendment is likely to face resistance from some quarters but insisted 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," Ziyambi said.

He dismissed claims that the resolution was driven by the President, maintaining that it was a collective party decision. Ziyambi further said that once all legal procedures are followed and the amendment is passed, the President would be constitutionally obliged to assent to it.

"Once it is lawfully passed, the President cannot refuse to assent to it," he said, drawing applause from party members.

Ziyambi criticised opponents of the proposed amendment, accusing them of selectively defending the Constitution while disregarding provisions that allow for its amendment.

"The Constitution was made by people for the people, and it allows for amendments where there is a need," he said.

Turning to internal party matters, Ziyambi urged ZANU PF members in Mashonaland West to uphold unity and discipline, warning that internal disputes undermine productivity and the effective implementation of party programmes.

"Unity makes us more productive," he said, while cautioning members against name-dropping and the misuse of senior leaders' names for personal gain.

Mashonaland West provincial chairperson Mary Mliswa-Chikoka told the meeting that the province was ready for the Cell Verification Day scheduled for this Saturday. She also expressed confidence that ZANU PF would win the Chegutu Ward 1 seat in the February 21 by-election.

The seat became vacant following the death of Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) councillor Kimpton Mkombwe last December in a mine shaft collapse at Bluerock Mine in Gadzema.

ZANU PF conducted its primary elections on Monday, with former MDC Alliance Chegutu West parliamentary candidate Gift Konjana emerging as the party's candidate. Konjana defected to ZANU PF in 2023.