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10 000 Johanne 5th of Africa congregants march for Constitutional Amendment
16 Mar 2026 at 20:33hrs |
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About 10 000 congregants from Johanne The 5th of Africa International last Saturday marched through Birchenough Bridge Centre in Manicaland, temporarily bringing business activity to a standstill as they demonstrated in support of Constitutional Amendment No. 3 Bill.
The proposed amendment seeks to introduce sweeping changes to the country's governance system, including extending presidential terms from five to seven years and removing direct presidential elections.
The march was led by church leader Andby Makururu, who guided congregants from his shrine located just after Birchenough Bridge along the Mutare–Masvingo Highway to the Save River, about five kilometres from the business centre.
"We are here in Birchenough Bridge in Manicaland province for two days and on Saturday, we just had a march in support of the Constitutional Amendment No 3 Bill, which we are in full support of," Makururu told NewsDay in an interview.
"We are saying no to elections in 2028, as we need to build our country; elections can stop development, so we are saying we need President Emmerson Mnangagwa to finish his work. We transformed lives as many members were in attendance during the march and our church service as I gave a powerful sermon while I led proceedings."
Makururu has been touring countries across the southern African region campaigning for the proposed constitutional amendments, arguing that they would benefit not only Zimbabwe but the broader region.
He claimed that frequent elections can destabilise peace and development in countries within the Southern African Development Community (Sadc).
However, critics argue that the proposed amendments are far-reaching and should only be adopted after extensive public consultation.
They maintain that such changes require the direct input of citizens through a referendum before being implemented.
The proposed amendment seeks to introduce sweeping changes to the country's governance system, including extending presidential terms from five to seven years and removing direct presidential elections.
The march was led by church leader Andby Makururu, who guided congregants from his shrine located just after Birchenough Bridge along the Mutare–Masvingo Highway to the Save River, about five kilometres from the business centre.
"We are here in Birchenough Bridge in Manicaland province for two days and on Saturday, we just had a march in support of the Constitutional Amendment No 3 Bill, which we are in full support of," Makururu told NewsDay in an interview.
"We are saying no to elections in 2028, as we need to build our country; elections can stop development, so we are saying we need President Emmerson Mnangagwa to finish his work. We transformed lives as many members were in attendance during the march and our church service as I gave a powerful sermon while I led proceedings."
Makururu has been touring countries across the southern African region campaigning for the proposed constitutional amendments, arguing that they would benefit not only Zimbabwe but the broader region.
He claimed that frequent elections can destabilise peace and development in countries within the Southern African Development Community (Sadc).
However, critics argue that the proposed amendments are far-reaching and should only be adopted after extensive public consultation.
They maintain that such changes require the direct input of citizens through a referendum before being implemented.
Source - Newsday
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