politics
Zimbabwe Parliament Passes Bill Extending President and Lawmakers’ Terms to 2030
Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 cleared Parliament on June 26 and now awaits President Emmerson Mnangagwa's assent. The measure would extend the terms of the president, Parliament and local authorities to 2030. Civic group WeThePeople has urged a national referendum before signing.
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Zimbabwe's parliament passed Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 on June 26. The legislation, advanced by the ruling ZANU PF party, would extend the terms of the president, Parliament and local authorities from 2028 to 2030.
The bill now requires presidential assent. AllAfrica reported that the measure seeks to alter constitutional tenure provisions for current officeholders. WeThePeople sent a letter to President Emmerson Mnangagwa urging him to submit the bill to a national referendum before signing.
The group cited Mnangagwa's 2017 statement that "the voice of the people is the voice of God" and referenced Section 328 and Section 328(7) of the Constitution, which provide safeguards against incumbents benefiting from amendments to their own tenure.
"Your Excellency, you have on numerous occasions reminded the nation that 'the voice of the people is the voice of God,'" the letter stated. "We respectfully submit that there can be no greater expression of that principle than allowing the people of Zimbabwe to determine directly, through a national referendum, whether Constitutional Amendment Bill No.
The letter further argued that any extension benefiting the incumbent should first receive direct public approval. Mnangagwa has previously said he does not intend to seek another term after 2028 but has not commented on the bill.
