Muzorewa endorses 7-year Presidential term

Former opposition leader and United African National Council (UANC) president Gwinyai Henry Muzorewa has thrown his support behind Constitution Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3), arguing that extending the presidential term from five to seven years would give future governments adequate time to implement their policies and development programmes.

Speaking to ZBC News, Muzorewa described the proposed constitutional changes as a significant reform that could reshape Zimbabwe's political landscape.

"CAB3, as far as the UANC is concerned, it's a very radical reform that has come to Zimbabwe, and the UANC welcomes this kind of series of reforms, because we've been looking for an opportunity where leadership can be changed in a different way," he said.

Muzorewa argued that Zimbabwe should consider alternative governance models after decades of operating under the current constitutional framework.

"For the last 46 years, we've done it in a different way. Now we are trying something that we believe is going to be good," he said.

The UANC leader expressed particular support for the proposal to extend presidential terms to seven years, saying shorter terms often limit a government's ability to fully implement its manifesto and long-term development agenda.

"Especially when we talk of a seven-year term, that's long overdue. Because as an aspiring government, we want a long time to exercise our policies, our manifesto, and so forth," he said.

"So, the UANC is looking forward to this, and we welcome CAB3 because it is covering this kind of thing."

Muzorewa's endorsement adds another voice to the national debate surrounding CAB3, which has generated sharply divided opinions across Zimbabwe's political spectrum.

Supporters of the Bill argue that longer terms could provide greater policy continuity, political stability and sufficient time for governments to implement major development projects without the disruption of frequent election cycles.

Critics, however, contend that extending presidential terms could weaken democratic accountability and reduce the frequency with which voters are able to assess and renew political mandates.

The Bill recently passed through the National Assembly after securing the required two-thirds majority and is now expected to be considered by the Senate before being presented to President Emmerson Mnangagwa for assent.

CAB3 remains one of the most closely watched legislative proposals in Zimbabwe, with political parties, civil society organisations, constitutional experts and religious groups continuing to debate its potential impact on the country's governance and democratic institutions.

Muzorewa's position is notable because it contrasts with the views of several opposition figures who have opposed the proposed amendments, arguing that constitutional reforms should be driven by broad public consensus and citizen participation.

As the Bill moves through its remaining legislative stages, the discussion over presidential term lengths, governance reforms and constitutional change is expected to remain at the centre of Zimbabwe's political discourse.