Zim GBC News | Political Correspondent
CONVENER of the Constitutional Defenders Forum (CDF) and former Finance minister Tendai Biti has declared his readiness to work with opposition figure Nelson Chamisa in resisting fresh attempts to amend Zimbabwe’s constitution, describing the proposed changes as “mutilation” of the supreme law.
The two politicians parted ways in 2024 following Chamisa’s departure from the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) after the formation was allegedly infiltrated by Zanu PF through Sengezo Tshabangu, who embarked on a spate of recalls targeting Members of Parliament and councillors without Chamisa’s input.
Chamisa has since vowed to block efforts to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s tenure beyond the current constitutional limit. Under Zimbabwe’s law, Mnangagwa is expected to retire in 2028 when his second and final term expires. Any extension would require constitutional amendments passed through two separate Bills and endorsed by a referendum.
Biti’s overture follows Cabinet’s approval this week of principles underpinning Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3, which proposes far-reaching alterations to the 2013 constitution.
Key proposals include extending presidential and parliamentary terms from 2028 to 2030, transferring voter registration functions from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) back to the Registrar General’s Office, and empowering the President to appoint judges without public interviews — a departure from current transparency provisions.
Addressing journalists in Harare on Friday, Biti emphasised the need for a broad-based coalition to resist the amendments.
“We are going to work with Nelson Chamisa. Up until he left politics, he was my president. So, we are going to work with everyone in the fight to protect this constitution,” Biti said.
“We would like to see women on the forefront, we would like to see young people on the forefront, we would like to see millions of Zimbabweans in the diaspora working with us.”
The former Finance minister stressed that defending the constitution transcends partisan interests.
“All hands must be on the deck. The constitution and the struggle for its protection cannot be monopolised by an individual or an organisation. We will therefore work with everyone in Zimbabwe,” he stated.
“We are going to work with progressive elements in Zanu PF whom we know are opposed to these constitutional shenanigans. They are there. We are going to work with them. We are going to work with persons in the broad democratic movement whether its MDC, whether its CCC if it still exists, we are going to work with everyone.”
Biti also revealed that he had engaged constitutional law expert Professor Lovemore Madhuku, who has reportedly agreed to join efforts against the proposed amendments.
“I spent about an hour last night speaking to Professor Lovemore Madhuku. We are going to work together to stop this coup on our constitution,” Biti disclosed.
His CDF shares similar objectives with the Defending the Constitution Platform convened by Senator Jameson Timba, as civic and political actors begin mobilising for what could become one of the most consequential constitutional battles since the adoption of the 2013 charter.
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