Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader, Douglas Mwonzora said there’s no loophole in Zimbabwe’s Constitution that ZANU-PF could use to legally extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term beyond 2028.
Speaking to journalists in Bulawayo last week, Mwonzora who was one of the MDC negotiators involved in the 2009 Constitution-making process under the Government of National Unity (GNU), said ZANU-PF would need to hold a referendum to change presidential term limits.
He added that the ruling party “fears” such a move because Zimbabweans would likely “vote no.” Said Mwonzora:
“There is absolutely no loophole in the constitution that ZANU PF can manipulate to amend the constitution and extend term length, as they made sure to cover any tracks.
“Any amendment of such requires a referendum, which ZANU-PF is afraid of because people will vote no for an extension in office.”
Mwonzora’s comments follow ZANU PF’s recent congress in Mutare, where delegates resolved to push for President Mnangagwa to remain in power until 2030. He said:
“The answer of this government to the social, political, and economic conundrum of our country is to increase the presidential term.
“Just a few weeks ago, ZANU PF sat at its congress in Mutare and resolved that President Mnangagwa’s term must extend to 2030.
“We all know that they want the term to extend to 2033. But they are just using 2030 as an excuse.
“We are totally opposed as the MDC to this extension of term for a number of fundamental reasons.”
Mwonzora accused ZANU PF of trying to lure MPs, including some from the opposition, with salary and benefit increases to back their term-extension agenda. He said:
“One of the sweeteners that ZANU PF has sold to the MPs, especially the opposition MPs, is that their term of office is also going to be extended.
“So, they are going to have an unearned term. Most of them are very, very happy to remain in that Parliament.
“Salaries have been increased. Benefits have been increased. And the MPs are enjoying life on behalf of the masses.”
Mwonzora also rejected claims by political commentators, including Jonathan Moyo and Tawanda Nyambirai, suggesting that a constitutional loophole might exist. He said:
“I have seen the opinion by Jonathan Moyo and a gentleman called Tawanda Nyambirai.
“What these gentlemen are just doing is to try to ingratiate themselves with ZANU PF.
“They are trying to please President Mnangagwa. There is no loophole.
“The term limit clause in Section 328 does not talk of a term. It talks of the length of time that a person holds office.
“If a person is supposed to be in office for five years, and suddenly they make it seven, they’ve lengthened the period in which he is holding office. That is the simple interpretation.
“So absolutely no loophole. We know that ZANU-PF are afraid of the referendum because they are afraid of the people.
“So, we are saying the people of Zimbabwe must claim what is in the constitution.”
Mwonzora also questioned Mnangagwa’s motives for pursuing a third term at his advanced age, arguing that Zimbabwe has yet to see meaningful progress under his leadership. He said:
“So we wonder why President Mnangagwa, who is 83 years old, why he should be obsessed with a third term. He has been serving in the Zimbabwean government since 1980.
“What new thing can he bring now? And the people of Zimbabwe, frankly speaking, are not benefiting from his presidency at all.
“Zimbabwe is not developing. At least that development that is there is not trickling down to the common man and the common woman.”
