Mnangagwa slips out on secret Belarus trip

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa reportedly left Zimbabwe late on Wednesday night for a trip to Belarus, in a departure that took place without the usual state airport ceremony, according to reports.

The 83-year-old leader is said to have flown out quietly, without ministers or senior officials accompanying him to the airport.

The trip comes at a politically sensitive moment as Parliament prepares to debate the Constitutional Amendment (No. 3) Bill, which proposes major changes to Zimbabwe's governance structure, including extending presidential and parliamentary terms and altering the method of electing the Head of State.

Mnangagwa's visit to Belarus follows a pattern of close diplomatic engagement with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, with reports indicating that similar low-profile trips have taken place in the past.

According to government sources cited in reports, the President's absence meant he missed a farewell dinner in honour of outgoing Chief Justice Luke Malaba in Harare on Thursday evening. Vice Presidents Kembo Mohadi and Constantino Chiwenga attended the event instead.

Government spokesperson Ndavaningi Mangwana confirmed Mohadi attended "on behalf of" the President, while Presidential spokesperson George Charamba had not responded to queries at the time of publication.

The timing of the trip has drawn political attention, coming as debate intensifies over the proposed constitutional amendments, which critics argue could fundamentally alter Zimbabwe's democratic framework.

The bill under discussion in Parliament seeks, among other changes, to extend presidential terms and shift the election of the President from a direct vote by citizens to an indirect vote by Members of Parliament.

Opposition figures, legal experts and civil society organisations have warned that the proposed changes could undermine constitutional safeguards and concentrate power within the executive.

Earlier this week, the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops' Conference said the bill risked "undermining foundational constitutional principles, weakening institutional independence, diminishing direct democratic participation, and eroding constitutional safeguards against the concentration and abuse of power."

The bishops further argued that any such changes should be subjected to a national referendum if pursued.

The developments come amid reported divisions within the ruling party over the proposals, with some political actors expressing differing views on the direction of the reforms.

Government, however, maintains that the amendments are part of broader institutional restructuring and governance reforms currently being pursued.