Harare– A civic coalition has thrown its weight behind a group of liberation war veterans who have approached the Constitutional Court to challenge a proposed constitutional amendment, stating that the legal action underscores a grave moment for the nation’s democratic order.

The Constitution Defenders Forum (CDF) issued a statement on Tuesday welcoming the court challenge, which seeks to nullify Cabinet’s approval of Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3. The war veterans argue that President Emmerson Mnangagwa violated his constitutional oath by presiding over Cabinet deliberations on the bill, from which he stands to personally benefit .

“We note that a group of war veterans has approached the Constitutional Court of Zimbabwe seeking constitutional relief. This development confirms what CDF has consistently maintained, that the defence of the Constitution transcends party lines, generations and political affiliations,” the statement read.

The coalition, using the hashtag #NoTo2030, framed the legal challenge as a legitimate exercise of constitutional rights rather than an act of rebellion.

“When liberation war veterans, citizens and civic actors all find themselves compelled to seek protection from the courts, it signals the gravity of the moment Zimbabwe faces,” the statement continued. “The courts are a constitutional arena for resolving disputes. Approaching the judiciary is not rebellion, it is reliance on the rule of law.”

The war veterans’ urgent application, filed through constitutional law expert Professor Lovemore Madhuku, seeks a declaratory order stating that Mnangagwa breached Sections 90(1), 90(2)(b), and 196(2) of the Constitution by chairing the February 10 Cabinet meeting that approved the bill .

The applicants – Reuben Zulu, Godfrey Gurira, Shoorai Nyamangodo, Joseph Chinyangare, Digmore Knowledge Ndiya, and Joseph Chinguwa – are also asking the court to declare that any constitutional amendment designed to extend a sitting president’s tenure is “invalid and of no force or effect” under Section 328(7) of the Constitution .

The controversial Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 proposes extending presidential terms from five to seven years and replacing direct presidential elections with a system where Parliament elects the head of state . Critics argue the amendments are designed to allow Mnangagwa, who was inaugurated for his second and final term in September 2023, to remain in power until 2030 .

“CDF welcomes all lawful efforts aimed at safeguarding constitutional order,” the coalition stated. “The struggle to defend the 2013 Constitution must remain peaceful, legal and principled.”

Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda gazetted the bill on Monday, triggering a 90-day public consultation period before it can be brought to a vote in Parliament . With ZANU-PF holding a two-thirds majority, the bill is expected to pass if party discipline holds, though constitutional lawyers have raised questions about whether a referendum is required .

The President and the Attorney General, cited as the second respondent, have 21 days to file a notice of opposition to the war veterans’ application .

“The Constitution belongs to the people and it must be defended in every legitimate forum available,” the CDF statement concluded.