SACDA condemns Zimbabwe Constitutional changes

The Southern Africa Coalition for Democracy and Accountability (SACDA) has criticised Zimbabwe's recent constitutional amendments, describing changes affecting presidential, parliamentary and local government terms as a setback for democratic accountability.

The Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Act, enacted in July 2026, extended the terms of the President and Parliament from five to seven years and changed the method of electing the President from a direct vote by citizens to an election by Parliament. The changes also mean the next general election is scheduled for 2030 instead of 2028.

Commenting in a statement issued to mark the International Day of Democracy on September 15, SACDA said the amendments had weakened direct presidential accountability.

"In Zimbabwe, constitutional changes extending incumbents' terms and weakening direct presidential accountability represent democratic regression," the organisation said.

SACDA argued that constitutions should provide rules governing the exercise of political power rather than be amended in ways that benefit those already holding office.

"Constitutions should regulate power, not be reshaped to suit whoever currently holds it. Amendments that materially benefit incumbents should never proceed without meaningful public consultation and direct popular approval," it said.

The amendments had been defended by the Government as part of broader constitutional and governance reforms. The memorandum accompanying the Bill said the changes were intended to strengthen constitutional governance, clarify institutional roles, promote political stability and improve the efficiency of the State architecture.

The reforms have nevertheless attracted criticism from civic organisations and political observers, particularly over their application to incumbent office-holders. The Law Society of Zimbabwe, while finding some of the proposed changes legally unobjectionable, expressed concern about extending the terms of current office-holders.

SACDA also raised concerns over developments in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where it said proposed constitutional changes could affect the presidential term framework under President Felix Tshisekedi.

According to SACDA, the DRC Senate had adopted a bill providing a route towards a referendum on a new constitution, which could reset the counting of presidential terms.

"Tshisekedi says he will not seek a third term unless the Congolese people ask for it; his opponents call it a constitutional coup by another name," SACDA said.

The organisation said developments in Zimbabwe and the DRC highlighted what it described as broader concerns over constitutional changes and the protection of democratic institutions in Southern Africa.