Zim problems emanate from Constitution: Democratic Party (DP)

The Democratic Party (DP) says Zimbabwe's governance challenges stem from the absence of a genuinely people‑driven constitution, arguing that both the Lancaster House Constitution adopted at independence and the 2013 Constitution were shaped by political compromises rather than citizens' wishes.

In a statement dated 21 February, the party said Zimbabwe's "primary problem" is the lack of a constitution authored and owned by the people.

"Zimbabwe's governance problem can be identified at two stages. A permanent solution to a problem is always preceded by problem identification," the party said.

"Zimbabwe's primary problem is that our country does not yet have a People's Constitution that serves as the foundation and instrument for national democratic governance."

DP said Zimbabwe inherited the Lancaster House Constitution in 1980 - a document drafted by the British Parliament in 1979  - which was amended 20 times before the adoption of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 20) Act, 2013.

The party noted that the 2013 Constitution has itself been amended twice, leading to the current gazetted 2030 Constitutional Amendment Bill (No. 3), 2026.

According to DP, Zimbabwe's "secondary problem" relates to the appointment of the President, who holds executive authority as Head of State and Government and Commander‑in‑Chief of the Defence Forces.

"The current 2030 Constitutional Amendment Bill (No. 3) seeks to change the appointment of the President from the existing direct election by voters in a general election to that of being elected by the majority members of Parliament," the party said.

DP added that the Bill also proposes extending the presidential term from five to seven years, with effect from 2023 to 2030, effectively cancelling the 2028 presidential, parliamentary and local government elections.

"The incumbent President, Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, will have stayed in office for more than ten years, which is prohibited by the operating Amendment (No. 20) Act of 2013," the party said.

DP urged Zimbabweans to reject both the 2030 Constitutional Amendment Bill (No. 3), 2026 and the 2013 Constitution, arguing that both fail to reflect the will of the people.

The party proposed that Zimbabwe should hold "democratic, free and fair general elections forthwith" under an agreed interim People's Constitutional and Electoral Arrangement (PEACE).

"The democratically elected PEACE government shall immediately take charge of the management and governance of Zimbabwe. The PEACE government shall also undertake a democratic people‑driven constitution‑making process leading to the establishment of a People's Constitution within five years," DP said.