Madhuku vows to stop Mnangagwa's term extension

Lovemore Madhuku, leader of the opposition National Constitutional Assembly (NCA), has vowed to mobilise Zimbabweans to resist proposals to rewrite the country's Constitution to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa's tenure beyond 2028.

Addressing scores of party supporters at his Harare office this Saturday, Madhuku condemned the plans underpinning Constitutional Amendment Number 3, reiterating that the NCA's principles are anchored in constitutionalism, strong state institutions, and the rule of law. "What Zanu-PF seeks to do must be resisted by all means. We will not allow them to strip citizens of the right to vote for the President, extend the term of Parliament, and sitting councillors without going to a referendum," he said.

Madhuku, a University of Zimbabwe law professor, also highlighted a brutal attack he and his supporters suffered on March 1 at the same venue, allegedly by Zanu-PF operatives. Amnesty International Zimbabwe condemned the assault, calling it a "blatant violation of the rights to personal security, freedom of expression, and peaceful assembly," and urged authorities to investigate and hold the perpetrators accountable.

The Constitutional Amendment No. 3 Bill, gazetted on February 17, is now entering a 90-day period for public consultations and hearings, with dates for the next stage expected to be announced this week. The Bill proposes extending the Presidential term from five to seven years and introduces a parliamentary process for electing the President. It also seeks to transfer responsibility for voter registration from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to the Registrar-General, among other reforms.

Additional changes include the abolition of the Zimbabwe Gender Commission, the expansion of the Senate from 80 to 90 members, and an amendment requiring the Attorney-General to be qualified to serve as a Supreme Court judge. Clause 15 proposes altering the role of the Defence Forces in the Constitution from "to uphold the Constitution" to "in accordance with the Constitution."

Political analyst Methuseli Moyo said the public hearings are a crucial platform for citizen engagement in shaping the nation's legislative and constitutional agenda. "The parliamentary process is a legitimate platform where views will matter. The people must, therefore, go in their numbers and give their views," he said.

The Government Gazette describes the proposed amendments as part of Zimbabwe's continuing constitutional evolution, aimed at refining governance frameworks, strengthening democratic institutions, and modernising the country's legal and political architecture while maintaining the spirit of the 2013 Constitution.