Retired generals' statement shakes Zanu-PF

The ruling Zanu-PF party is facing mounting internal pressure following strong objections from retired army generals and war veterans opposed to the proposed Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3.

The resistance, led by a group of former senior military figures and liberation war veterans, has heightened tensions within the party, with insiders indicating growing unease over the potential fallout.

A petition submitted to Parliament last week, signed by retired Air Marshal Henry Muchena, calls for the proposed amendments to be subjected to a national referendum. The group warned against allowing a small group of legislators to alter key constitutional provisions without broader public consent.

In their submission, the ex-generals and war veterans criticised what they described as a "constitutional coup," allegedly driven by influential elites within Zanu-PF, whom they referred to as zvigananda.

The proposed Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 seeks to extend the tenure of both President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Parliament by two years beyond the current 2028 limit. It also includes provisions to abolish direct presidential elections and dissolve institutions such as the Zimbabwe Gender Commission, among other significant changes.

Critics argue that such sweeping reforms require approval through a referendum, in line with constitutional provisions. However, the government and Zanu-PF maintain that Parliament has the authority to amend the Constitution without a public vote.

The pushback from war veterans carries historical weight, given the military's pivotal role in the 2017 Zimbabwe coup d'état that led to the removal of former president Robert Mugabe.

Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda confirmed that Parliament is currently receiving submissions from various stakeholders as part of the legislative process.

Meanwhile, reports indicate signs of concern within party structures. At a recent Zanu-PF Manicaland provincial co-ordination committee meeting in Mutare, members acknowledged the growing influence of dissenting war veterans and retired generals.

Central committee member Shadreck Chipanga urged caution, calling for thorough internal deliberations before rolling out a nationwide campaign in support of the bill.

"We need to discuss everything because we are going to meet great minds out there," Chipanga said.

However, not all party members share the same concerns. Provincial youth leader Stanley Sakupwanya defended the proposed changes, arguing that constitutional amendments are a normal part of governance.

"The Constitution is not under attack; it changes with time," he said.

Manicaland Minister of Provincial Affairs and Devolution Misheck Mugadza said the party was prepared to proceed with an outreach programme to mobilise support for the amendment.

Parliament is set to conduct 64 public hearings between March 30 and April 2, a schedule that has drawn criticism for its limited scope. Analysts note that the process contrasts sharply with the extensive consultations that preceded the adoption of the 2013 Constitution, which involved thousands of outreach meetings over several months.

As debate intensifies, the proposed amendment continues to expose deep divisions within Zanu-PF and across Zimbabwe's political landscape.