Zimbabweans Clash Over Proposed Term Extension for President Mnangagwa

Zimbabweans gather in heated public forums across the nation, their voices rising in a cacophony of dissent and support as the government proposes sweeping constitutional changes that could redefine the country's political landscape. In Chitungwiza, a city where the air is thick with both humidity and tension, the aquatic complex transforms into a battleground of ideas. The sun beats down on the crowd, mirroring the intensity of debate inside the hall, where a small but vocal group of protesters challenges those advocating for an amendment to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa's term until 2030. Among them is a woman in a cream floral dress, her heckling a constant reminder of the deep divisions this proposal has sown. "Why should one man's rule last longer than the will of the people?" she shouts, her voice barely audible over the din. The question lingers, unanswered, as the hearing proceeds.

The proposed amendment to Zimbabwe's constitution, known as CAB3, seeks to alter presidential and legislative terms from five to seven years while granting parliament the power to elect the president—a shift that would remove the current system of direct elections. Critics argue this move could entrench ZANU-PF's dominance, as the ruling party holds a firm majority in parliament. For supporters like Mike Kashiri, a resident of Epworth, the change is a step toward stability. "If the president is elected by MPs, it will reduce violence," he tells reporters, his voice steady. Kashiri points to past elections marred by clashes between rival factions, suggesting that a parliamentary vote would depoliticize the process. Yet, others like Ishmael Phololo, a cellphone technician with a makeshift workshop in Harare, see the amendment as a betrayal of democracy. "MPs are removed from the people's struggles," he argues. "They get cars and allowances once in parliament. How can they truly represent us?" His words reflect a growing sentiment among ordinary Zimbabweans: a sense of powerlessness in the face of government decisions they perceive as undemocratic.

The government has framed CAB3 as a tool to ensure "political stability and policy continuity," a claim echoed by Minister of Justice Ziyambi Ziyambi in February when the cabinet approved the amendment. Yet, the public hearings have revealed a stark disconnect between official rhetoric and the lived realities of citizens. In Chitungwiza, the hearing devolves into chaos as moderators are accused of favoring government-aligned voices. A supporter of the bill, claiming to speak for seven million people, demands the microphone, though no evidence is offered to substantiate her claim. The woman in the floral dress, undeterred, continues her protest, her heckling a stark contrast to the formal proceedings. "This isn't about stability," she shouts. "It's about control." Her words echo across the hall, raising a critical question: Will these changes truly serve the nation, or merely consolidate power for a select few?

As the hearings continue, the divide between supporters and opponents grows more pronounced. Some citizens express cautious optimism, believing that longer terms could allow Mnangagwa to complete his vision for Zimbabwe. Others, however, fear a slide toward authoritarianism, warning that the removal of term limits and direct elections could silence dissent. The debate is not merely about governance—it is a referendum on the future of democracy itself. With the bill now set for parliamentary approval, the question remains: Will Zimbabwe's people find their voices heard, or will their concerns be drowned out by the machinery of power? The answer, it seems, will be determined not in the halls of government, but in the streets where ordinary citizens fight to shape their nation's destiny.

At the hearing in Epworth, an eager participant raised a hand to speak, taking the microphone handed to him by the moderator. "I am here representing the Constitution Defenders Forum [CDF]," he said, his clear voice booming from the speakers of the public address system. But suddenly, the mic was quickly snatched away, and the man sat down. It is unclear why he was not given an opportunity to speak, but his civic organisation — formed in early March — opposes CAB3. CDF's leaders, including former finance minister Tendai Biti, were recently arrested in the city of Mutare while mobilising people against the bill last month.

The former mayor of Epworth Local Board, Annah Sande, told Al Jazeera the mic was also snatched from her when she tried to oppose the bill. "I was very disappointed but not shocked by the way the process [hearing] is being conducted," said Sande. "The officials [moderating the hearings], who are seemingly supposed to be the technocrats, are members of the ruling party." Others say the process cannot be neutral because the public hearings are being spearheaded by MPs whose terms of office, too, would be extended if the bill passes. "Beneficiaries of the proposed amendments are [the ones] consulting the people," said Gift Siziba, a former opposition MP and close ally of Nelson Chamisa, the opposition candidate and runner-up in Zimbabwe's last presidential election.

Three organisations led by prominent opposition leaders, namely the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA), Defend the Constitution Platform (DCP), and the CDF are opposing CAB3. On Wednesday this week, the leader of DCP, Jameson Timba, released a statement that the three organisations are joining forces. "We will establish a coordinated framework to work and act collectively in defence of the Constitution," read part of the statement. Timba said all three organisations have stopped participating in CAB3 hearings because they are "fundamentally flawed, exclusionary and inconsistent with the spirit and letter of the constitution."

Deep concerns Across Zimbabwe, though many support the consultation process, many others have deep concerns. Citizens are asking why the hearings are being held at only a few venues across the country; why hearings are taking place during the week when most people are at work; and why the sessions are only happening for four days. What happens when the hearings are over is also a concern for many. The government's plan is for the bill to go before parliament, where Mnangagwa's ruling ZANU-PF party has a majority. A vote there means the legislation will likely pass. So many Zimbabweans say that it should go to a referendum instead, so all citizens can vote for the outcome they want.

Justice Mavedzenge, a Zimbabwean constitutional expert and political analyst, argued that CAB3 is an attempt by the president to cling to power. He also noted that Mnangagwa chaired the cabinet meeting that approved this bill that would see his rule extended. Even though Mnangagwa is on record denying aspirations to stay in office beyond his current term, Mavedzenge believes he is the architect of the political manoeuvring currently taking place to amend the constitution. "His intention is to leave power when one of his family members is ready to take over," said Mavedzenge. "So I believe that this proposed amendment bill is an attempt by President Mnangagwa himself to cling on to power, but also to roll out some dynastic plans for the country."

This is not the first time concerns have been raised about dynastic politics in Zimbabwe. During the late former president Robert Mugabe's last days in power, it was widely believed that he intended for his wife, Grace Mugabe, to succeed him. Mugabe, however, was succeeded by Mnangagwa through a coup, which the current government frames as a "military assisted transition". While Mnangagwa and Mugabe have many differences in how they have governed Zimbabwe, the legitimacy of elections under both leaders has been questioned, with the opposition accusing ZANU-PF of manipulating polls. The ruling party has been known to clamp down on dissenting voices with a heavy hand, often disrupting opposition meetings and arresting activists.

'Tolerate political differences' Supporters of CAB3 and the officials championing it say Mnangagwa is doing a good job and should be allowed to continue. Mavedzenge disagrees with this.

This bill and the motivations that are given to advance it do not make sense in an environment of extreme poverty," said the analyst, their voice laced with frustration. The economic crisis in Zimbabwe has left millions struggling to afford basic necessities, yet the proposed constitutional amendment CAB3 seeks to extend presidential terms, a move critics argue prioritizes power over people. Former opposition MP Siziba echoed these concerns, stating the nation's economy is "in tatters," with inflation soaring and unemployment rampant. He dismissed the argument that successful leaders should be allowed to stay in power longer, stressing that term limits are designed to ensure accountability. "They are meant for people who succeed because they must lead and leave," he said, his words a sharp rebuke to those who see CAB3 as a solution to governance challenges.

Mavedzenge, a staunch supporter of the bill, countered claims that CAB3 would reduce electoral toxicity by requiring voters to go to the polls less frequently. "Toxicity is addressed by changing attitudes," he insisted, pointing to the behavior of senior ZANU-PF officials. He accused them of fostering intolerance toward dissent, citing reports of activists being arrested or abducted during public hearings on CAB3. "If you look at the way they [ZANU-PF officials] are treating citizens who have opposing views on this constitutional bill, you will see that they are still intolerant," he said, his tone edged with accusation. The hearings themselves, held in Epworth, became a flashpoint for tension, with supporters and opponents clashing over the bill's implications.

At the hearing, CAB3 advocate Kashiri praised President Mnangagwa's achievements, citing infrastructure projects like the Trablablas Interchange, the new parliament building, and the Masvingo Road to Beit Bridge highway. "There are a lot of commendable projects going on around the country, thanks to the president," he said, his voice brimming with optimism. He argued that extending Mnangagwa's term would allow him to complete long-term initiatives, such as dam construction and job creation programs. Yet his enthusiasm was met with skepticism from others present. Cellphone technician Phololo raised pointed questions about the bill's potential consequences. "What if the president's projects are not completed in the extra years they want to add? What will happen then?" he asked, his tone tinged with doubt. He worried that CAB3 could create a cycle of indefinite extensions, leaving future leaders with no clear timeline for accountability.

The financial implications of CAB3 loom large for both businesses and individuals. Critics argue that prolonged presidential terms could stifle economic reform, as leaders may prioritize short-term gains over long-term stability. Investors, already wary of Zimbabwe's volatile political climate, might hesitate to commit capital if governance structures become less transparent. For ordinary citizens, the bill raises concerns about resource allocation—will funds be directed toward infrastructure or social programs? Meanwhile, supporters like Kashiri insist that Mnangagwa's track record justifies granting him more time to implement policies. "Seven years will give the president ample time to do good things," he said, though his confidence contrasts sharply with the uncertainty voiced by others.

The debate over CAB3 has exposed deep divisions within Zimbabwe, pitting those who see it as a tool for continuity against those who view it as a threat to democracy. As the bill moves forward, its passage could reshape the nation's political landscape, but the question remains: will it address the crises at hand or deepen the fractures already present?