Tinotenda Hove – Prominent Zimbabwean constitutional lawyer and opposition politician Lovemore Madhuku has fiercely condemned efforts by some ZANU-PF figures to amend the Constitution in a way that could extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s stay in office beyond the current two-term limit, describing the campaign as “a crime against humanity.”

The controversial Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill, gazetted earlier this year, proposes extending presidential and parliamentary terms from five years to seven years. If approved, the next harmonised elections would shift from 2028 to 2030.

The proposed changes would also remove direct presidential elections and instead allow Parliament to choose the Head of State.
Senior ZANU-PF officials linked to the push for the amendments include Daniel Garwe, Ziyambi Ziyambi, Patrick Chinamasa and Paul Tungwarara.

Speaking during an interview on the programme “In Conversation with Trevor,” Madhuku, who heads the National Constitutional Assembly, accused supporters of the Bill of deliberately attempting to seize control of the country for personal gain.

“They know very well that what they are doing is wrong legally and politically,” Madhuku said. “They also know that ordinary Zimbabweans do not support these changes. But because their intention is to capture the country and its resources, they continue pushing this agenda.”
He added: “So what crime are they committing? I think it’s a crime against humanity. That’s the crime they are committing.”

Madhuku further argued that the attempt to alter the Constitution amounted to what he termed a “constitutional coup,” warning that the proposed law would remain illegitimate even if Parliament passes it and the President signs it into effect.

According to Madhuku, the amendment drive is an attempt to overturn the will of millions of Zimbabweans who endorsed the current Constitution through a national referendum just over a decade ago.

“The people already made their decision when they voted for this Constitution,” he said. “Now a few individuals want to reverse that outcome for political convenience.”