News / National
Mnangagwa plan revealed
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President Emmerson Mnangagwa's allies in the ruling Zanu-PF party are intensifying efforts to extend his presidency beyond the constitutional limit of two terms, using what critics are calling a backdoor strategy. The new proposal seeks to amend the Constitution to give Mnangagwa an additional two years, despite the current term limit set to end in 2028.
Zanu-PF Harare Provincial Chairman Godwills Masimirembwa has confirmed that the party is working on a plan to extend Mnangagwa's tenure by two years, pushing the next election to 2030. In remarks made during a Zanu-PF Harare Youth inter-district meeting on Saturday, Masimirembwa argued that the Constitution allows for such an extension, claiming that a referendum would not be needed for this specific amendment.
"The Constitution allows the President to serve beyond two terms if the Constitution is amended to allow an additional two years, 11 months, and 29 days," Masimirembwa stated, adding that a referendum would only be necessary if Mnangagwa were seeking a third term, which the Constitution defines as a full term.
Masimirembwa's statement reveals a bold new strategy by Zanu-PF: to use Parliament to amend the Constitution and postpone elections without going through the legal process of a referendum to remove term limits. This move raises significant constitutional and legal concerns, with critics warning that it would undermine Zimbabwe's democratic principles.
Legal experts are questioning the legality of such a proposal. University of Zimbabwe academic and constitutional law professor Lovemore Madhuku recently told The NewsHawks that Parliament cannot postpone elections without violating the Constitution, calling such a move a potential "coup against the Constitution."
Masimirembwa, however, insisted that the amendment would align with Section 91(2) of the Constitution, which disqualifies a person from running for president after serving two full terms. He argued that because the additional two years would not constitute a full third term, Mnangagwa would remain within the constitutional limits.
"There will be no need for a referendum," Masimirembwa claimed. "What is required is just to postpone the elections until 2030. There is no need to worry about interference with the term limit, so the party resolution is in tandem with the term limit provision."
The proposal is seen as a continuation of Zanu-PF's push to retain Mnangagwa in power beyond his constitutionally-mandated tenure, a move that has sparked alarm among opposition parties and legal experts. Critics argue that bypassing the proper legal processes to extend a president's term undermines Zimbabwe's democratic framework and sets a dangerous precedent for future administrations.
The controversy comes at a time when factionalism within Zanu-PF is at a peak, with different party factions vying for power and influence. The ongoing power struggles have raised concerns about the stability of Zimbabwe's political system and the integrity of its constitutional safeguards.
As Zanu-PF pushes forward with its plan to extend Mnangagwa's rule, the debate over constitutional integrity and the future of Zimbabwe's democracy is likely to intensify.
Zanu-PF Harare Provincial Chairman Godwills Masimirembwa has confirmed that the party is working on a plan to extend Mnangagwa's tenure by two years, pushing the next election to 2030. In remarks made during a Zanu-PF Harare Youth inter-district meeting on Saturday, Masimirembwa argued that the Constitution allows for such an extension, claiming that a referendum would not be needed for this specific amendment.
"The Constitution allows the President to serve beyond two terms if the Constitution is amended to allow an additional two years, 11 months, and 29 days," Masimirembwa stated, adding that a referendum would only be necessary if Mnangagwa were seeking a third term, which the Constitution defines as a full term.
Masimirembwa's statement reveals a bold new strategy by Zanu-PF: to use Parliament to amend the Constitution and postpone elections without going through the legal process of a referendum to remove term limits. This move raises significant constitutional and legal concerns, with critics warning that it would undermine Zimbabwe's democratic principles.
Legal experts are questioning the legality of such a proposal. University of Zimbabwe academic and constitutional law professor Lovemore Madhuku recently told The NewsHawks that Parliament cannot postpone elections without violating the Constitution, calling such a move a potential "coup against the Constitution."
Masimirembwa, however, insisted that the amendment would align with Section 91(2) of the Constitution, which disqualifies a person from running for president after serving two full terms. He argued that because the additional two years would not constitute a full third term, Mnangagwa would remain within the constitutional limits.
"There will be no need for a referendum," Masimirembwa claimed. "What is required is just to postpone the elections until 2030. There is no need to worry about interference with the term limit, so the party resolution is in tandem with the term limit provision."
The proposal is seen as a continuation of Zanu-PF's push to retain Mnangagwa in power beyond his constitutionally-mandated tenure, a move that has sparked alarm among opposition parties and legal experts. Critics argue that bypassing the proper legal processes to extend a president's term undermines Zimbabwe's democratic framework and sets a dangerous precedent for future administrations.
The controversy comes at a time when factionalism within Zanu-PF is at a peak, with different party factions vying for power and influence. The ongoing power struggles have raised concerns about the stability of Zimbabwe's political system and the integrity of its constitutional safeguards.
As Zanu-PF pushes forward with its plan to extend Mnangagwa's rule, the debate over constitutional integrity and the future of Zimbabwe's democracy is likely to intensify.
Source - online
