Zimbabwe Attorney General Urges Cabinet Members to Support Decisions or Resign

Zimbabwe's Attorney General Virginia Mabiza issued a statement warning cabinet members against publicly opposing or distancing themselves from decisions made at the cabinet level. Mabiza stated that members who cannot support such decisions should resign.

She highlighted the principle of collective accountability, noting that cabinet members are responsible both individually and collectively to the president.

The warning came amid discussions on Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3, which proposes extending the presidential term and those of parliamentarians by two years to 2030. The bill also suggests scrapping direct presidential elections, making the selection the responsibility of parliament.

Mabiza explained that once a policy is adopted by the cabinet, every member must publicly support and defend it, even if they disagree privately. She referenced cabinet rules requiring confidentiality and prohibiting members from contradicting official government policy publicly.

The attorney general's comments followed a sermon by a vice president at a church event in Murewa, Mashonaland East province. The sermon referenced a biblical story about a king seeking extended time in leadership, which was interpreted as relating to the proposed amendments.

Mabiza added that the president has the authority to reprimand, reassign, demote, or dismiss individual ministers or vice presidents without affecting the entire cabinet. She cited Section 104(2) of the constitution, which allows the president to appoint and remove ministers at discretion.

AllAfrica reported these developments, noting the emphasis on ministers' accountability for their ministries and the requirement to defend joint cabinet decisions.