Malema's EFF blasts Zimbabwe's Constitutional Amendment Act No. 3

South Africa's opposition party, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), has condemned Zimbabwe's Constitutional Amendment Act No. 3, accusing the ruling ZANU PF of placing its grip on power above the interests of citizens and betraying the democratic ideals of the liberation struggle.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa signed the controversial legislation into law on Tuesday after it was passed by Parliament despite strong opposition from civil society organisations, legal experts and opposition parties.

The amendment extends the terms of office of the President, Members of Parliament and local authority councillors from five years to seven years, postponing Zimbabwe's next harmonised elections from 2028 to 2030.

In a statement, the EFF said while Zimbabwe's liberation from colonial rule remained one of Africa's greatest achievements, that history did not give any political party a permanent mandate to govern.

“The liberation of Zimbabwe from settler colonialism remains one of the greatest victories in the history of Africa, and the sacrifices made by countless freedom fighters can never be erased or diminished.

"However, no liberation movement acquires a permanent entitlement to govern simply because of its historic role in defeating colonialism. The legitimacy won on the battlefield must continually be renewed through the democratic consent of the people.

“For decades, ZANU-PF has increasingly behaved as though the people of Zimbabwe owe it perpetual political loyalty because it was the movement that led the liberation struggle.

“This dangerous mentality has transformed a liberation movement into an establishment that appears more concerned with preserving its hold on power than responding to the daily struggles of ordinary Zimbabweans,” the party said.

The criticism comes despite Mnangagwa's repeated public assurances that he would not seek to remain in office beyond the end of his current term in 2028.

Opposition parties and civic organisations had called for the constitutional changes to be subjected to a national referendum before being enacted, but Parliament proceeded with the legislation without one.

The EFF argued that extending a presidential mandate through constitutional amendment rather than through elections weakened democratic governance.

“This is uncalled for. The extension of a presidential mandate through constitutional amendment, rather than through the freely expressed will of the people at the ballot box, represents a deeply disappointing development.

“It creates the perception that constitutional instruments are being manipulated to entrench political power instead of strengthening democratic accountability.

“The EFF believes that the people of Zimbabwe cannot be held hostage indefinitely by a governing party. True revolutionaries understand that political power belongs to the people and that leadership is exercised on their behalf, not over them.

“Any government that fears returning to the people for a fresh democratic mandate is one that is certain it has lost the will of the people and should face the consequences or commit to better leadership,” the statement added.

The South African opposition party urged the Zimbabwean government to shift its attention from constitutional changes to addressing the country's deepening economic and governance challenges.

“The EFF therefore calls upon the Government of Zimbabwe to place the needs of its people above the political interests of those in power. Zimbabwe requires urgent economic renewal, accountable governance, functioning public institutions, and leadership committed to restoring hope to its citizens rather than extending presidential terms,” the party said.

Constitutional Amendment Act No. 3 has triggered growing political and legal opposition, with critics arguing it weakens constitutional safeguards and democratic accountability, while the government maintains the changes are intended to promote political stability and policy continuity.