Zimbabwe’s Mnangagwa Signs Controversial Term Extension Law
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has signed the Constitutional Amendment Bill 3 into law. This effectively extends his second term and rewards parliamentarians with an extra two years.
The controversial bill, which civil society has fought hard against, sets in motion underhand moves by Zanu PF members who are in total disagreement with what they say is unconstitutional and a brazen act to hang onto power by Mnangagwa. The amendments extend the terms of current parliamentarians by two years.
It also means Zimbabwe’s President will no longer be voted for by its general populace, but by Parliamentarians, a change retired army generals, senior civil servants and civil society say goes against liberation war agreements. Critics argue the changes are unconstitutional and should have been approved through a referendum, warning they could further consolidate executive power.
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The parliament has passed Constitutional Amendment Bill Number 3 for a second time after adopting changes proposed by the Senate, clearing the way for President Emmerson Mnangagwa to sign it into law. The Bill was referred back to the National Assembly after the Senate proposed changes to several clauses.
The revised Bill introduces changes to electoral and succession processes. This includes assigning the
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![President Emmerson Mnangagwa (file photo).]()
Zimbabwe’s National Assembly has secured the required two-thirds majority to pass a contentious constitutional amendment bill, despite strong opposition from civil society groups and opposition lawmakers. Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda announced the results following weeks of heated, highly polarized debate over the legislation.
Among the most controversial proposals are measures that would extend the
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President Emmerson Mnangagwa has dismissed opposition from retired military generals and former senior civil servants over Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3, saying “whoever wins, wins” as the political dispute over the proposed changes deepens.
Mnangagwa, who is going ahead with amendments that will see him remain in power beyond the constitutionally stipulated two terms, is at loggerheads with the
President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
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