Public anger has erupted in Zimbabwe following cabinet approval of proposed constitutional amendments that could extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s tenure to 2030 and shift presidential selection from voters to parliament.
Although the proposals still require parliamentary debate, opposition leaders say the process is tilted in favour of the ruling Zanu-PF party. Lawyer Tendai Biti described the move as a “constitutional coup,” arguing that “the proposed amendments are illegal and unconstitutional in that they infringe the term limit provision of the constitution.”
Biti added that “they seek to do them outside two referendums,” one to remove term limits and another to allow the sitting president benefit from the change.
Under the proposals, presidential terms would be extended from five to seven years, while the president would gain powers to appoint 10 additional senators, raising the chamber to 90 members. Citizen Augustine Kaswaurere said, “A president should not rule for a long time, and it is preferable to serve for a short term and give others a chance.”
Mnangagwa, who came to power in 2017 after the military ousted Robert Mugabe, has faced criticism over economic decline and alleged corruption. His party’s “2030 agenda” has drawn strong resistance, with protests met by police crackdowns and arrests.
Opposition politician David Coltart said, “Any amendment which has the ‘effect’ of extending an incumbent’s tenure should be subjected to a referendum,” adding, “They know that if that happens, they will fail.”
Democracy advocate Professor Lovemore Madhuku also condemned the cabinet’s move as “totally unacceptable,” warning that “it is going to cause political instability,” and predicting a “painful struggle” ahead.
The government, however, said in a cabinet statement that the amendments would “enhance political stability and policy continuity to allow development programmes to be implemented to completion.”
