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Chiwenga stuns Zanu-PF
2 hrs ago |
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Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga reportedly urged senior Zanu-PF officials not to celebrate the passage of the controversial Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3), reminding party members that the legislation has not yet become law.
According to party sources, Chiwenga made the remarks during a Zanu-PF Central Committee meeting held last Thursday after some members celebrated the bill's passage through Parliament and proposed aligning the party's internal electoral calendar with the constitutional changes.
CAB3, which was passed by Parliament after securing the required two-thirds majority, seeks to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa's term of office by two years to 2030. The Bill is awaiting presidential assent before it can become law.
Several Zanu-PF leaders who attended the meeting told The Standard that Chiwenga intervened after a delegate proposed postponing the party's internal elections, currently scheduled for next year, to 2029 in line with the proposed constitutional amendments.
"We feel, as central committee members, we are being left behind," the delegate reportedly said.
"Right now, we are supposed to prepare for elections next year.
"We feel the party constitution should be aligned with CAB3 so that we only have elections in 2029."
According to those present, the proposal was met with singing and celebrations from delegates.
Rather than responding himself, Mnangagwa reportedly referred the matter to Chiwenga.
"It is not yet signed into law. There is no need to celebrate," Chiwenga reportedly told the meeting.
"Let party members not celebrate until it is signed."
Sources said his remarks immediately quietened the room, bringing the celebrations to an abrupt end.
Chiwenga has previously been viewed as adopting a cautious approach to CAB3, having made several public remarks that observers interpreted as criticism of the proposed constitutional amendments.
The Bill has generated significant political and legal debate, with critics arguing that extending the terms of the President, Parliament and local authorities raises constitutional concerns.
Constitutional law expert Lovemore Madhuku has previously warned that any constitutional amendments extending presidential terms without adequate public consultation could face legal challenges.
The legislation is also facing growing political opposition from civil society organisations, opposition parties and some veterans of Zimbabwe's liberation struggle.
Last week, members of the Platform for Concerned Citizens (PCC), former Zimbabwe People's Army combatants and other stakeholders met to discuss what they described as a deepening national crisis, with CAB3 representing only one aspect of broader governance concerns.
The meeting endorsed a campaign against the Bill being spearheaded by The People's Coalition.
In a statement, PCC co-convenors Tony Reeler and Ibbo Mandaza said participants had resolved to support ongoing legal and political efforts opposing the constitutional amendments.
"The meeting endorsed support for the ongoing campaign against CAB3 being headed by the alliance under The People's Coalition," they said.
The forum also endorsed calls for a national dialogue, a national conference, a referendum on establishing a National Transitional Authority (NTA), and the eventual creation of such an authority.
The People's Coalition is convened by Kupakwashe Mtata and includes prominent political figures such as Tendai Biti, Jameson Timba, Jacob Ngarivhume and war veteran Reuben Zulu, who has already filed several court challenges against CAB3.
The Constitutional Amendment Bill will only take effect if it is signed into law by President Mnangagwa. Until then, the proposed changes have no legal force.
According to party sources, Chiwenga made the remarks during a Zanu-PF Central Committee meeting held last Thursday after some members celebrated the bill's passage through Parliament and proposed aligning the party's internal electoral calendar with the constitutional changes.
CAB3, which was passed by Parliament after securing the required two-thirds majority, seeks to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa's term of office by two years to 2030. The Bill is awaiting presidential assent before it can become law.
Several Zanu-PF leaders who attended the meeting told The Standard that Chiwenga intervened after a delegate proposed postponing the party's internal elections, currently scheduled for next year, to 2029 in line with the proposed constitutional amendments.
"We feel, as central committee members, we are being left behind," the delegate reportedly said.
"Right now, we are supposed to prepare for elections next year.
"We feel the party constitution should be aligned with CAB3 so that we only have elections in 2029."
According to those present, the proposal was met with singing and celebrations from delegates.
Rather than responding himself, Mnangagwa reportedly referred the matter to Chiwenga.
"It is not yet signed into law. There is no need to celebrate," Chiwenga reportedly told the meeting.
"Let party members not celebrate until it is signed."
Sources said his remarks immediately quietened the room, bringing the celebrations to an abrupt end.
Chiwenga has previously been viewed as adopting a cautious approach to CAB3, having made several public remarks that observers interpreted as criticism of the proposed constitutional amendments.
The Bill has generated significant political and legal debate, with critics arguing that extending the terms of the President, Parliament and local authorities raises constitutional concerns.
Constitutional law expert Lovemore Madhuku has previously warned that any constitutional amendments extending presidential terms without adequate public consultation could face legal challenges.
The legislation is also facing growing political opposition from civil society organisations, opposition parties and some veterans of Zimbabwe's liberation struggle.
Last week, members of the Platform for Concerned Citizens (PCC), former Zimbabwe People's Army combatants and other stakeholders met to discuss what they described as a deepening national crisis, with CAB3 representing only one aspect of broader governance concerns.
The meeting endorsed a campaign against the Bill being spearheaded by The People's Coalition.
In a statement, PCC co-convenors Tony Reeler and Ibbo Mandaza said participants had resolved to support ongoing legal and political efforts opposing the constitutional amendments.
"The meeting endorsed support for the ongoing campaign against CAB3 being headed by the alliance under The People's Coalition," they said.
The forum also endorsed calls for a national dialogue, a national conference, a referendum on establishing a National Transitional Authority (NTA), and the eventual creation of such an authority.
The People's Coalition is convened by Kupakwashe Mtata and includes prominent political figures such as Tendai Biti, Jameson Timba, Jacob Ngarivhume and war veteran Reuben Zulu, who has already filed several court challenges against CAB3.
The Constitutional Amendment Bill will only take effect if it is signed into law by President Mnangagwa. Until then, the proposed changes have no legal force.
Source - The Standard
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