Zim GBC News | Political Correspondent
HARARE – A sweeping Constitutional Amendment Bill tabled by Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi has ignited a firestorm of controversy, with critics alleging it is a blueprint for entrenched executive power and the dismantling of key democratic safeguards.
The proposed changes, outlined in a memorandum to Cabinet dated February 2026, include some of the most significant alterations to Zimbabwe’s governance framework since the 2013 Constitution. Minister Ziyambi frames the Bill as necessary for “political stability, policy continuity, and institutional efficiency,” aligning Zimbabwe with what he calls “tested and successful practices in other progressive jurisdictions.”
However, the specific amendments have drawn immediate and severe condemnation from legal experts, opposition figures, and civil society.
The Core Controversies
The Bill proposes eight major changes:
- Parliament to Elect the President: Abolishing direct presidential elections, the President would be chosen by a joint sitting of Parliament.
- Extended Terms: The presidential and parliamentary term would be lengthened from five to seven years.
- Presidential Appointees in Senate: The President would appoint ten additional Senators, expanding executive influence in the upper house.
- Voters’ Roll Transfer: The critical function of compiling and maintaining the voters’ roll would be moved from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to the Registrar-General’s office.
- New Delimitation Commission: A separate body, appointed by the President, would take over the delimitation of electoral boundaries from ZEC.
- End of Public Interviews for Judges: The transparent public interview process for judicial appointments would be scrapped.
- Changed Mandate for Defence Forces: The military’s constitutional duty would be altered from “to uphold this Constitution” to act “in accordance with the Constitution.”
- Abolition of Commissions: The Zimbabwe Gender Commission and the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission would be dissolved, with their functions folded into other bodies.
“A Scheme to Fulfill the 2030 Agenda”
Public reaction, particularly on social media platform X, has been fiercely negative. Many citizens, like those in Bulawayo cited in online discussions, see the moves as a direct attempt to cement the ruling party’s hold on power. A widely shared post summarized the fear, calling it a “Zanu-PF scheme of fulfilling the party’s 2030 Agenda that seeks to keep Mnangagwa in power perpetually.”
Prominent political figures have also weighed in. Former Minister Jameson Timba, part of the “Defend the Constitution Platform,” issued a stern rebuke to Cabinet members.
“Today we have written to Cabinet members to remind them of a simple truth,” Timba stated.
“Constitutional authority does not come from convenience or numbers in Parliament – it comes from the people. Cabinet now faces a defining choice: Defend the Constitution you swore to uphold, or preside over its mutilation.”
Government Justification
In his memorandum, Minister Ziyambi provides a point-by-point rationale. He argues that seven-year terms would “reduce election-related disruptions” and allow long-term projects to be completed. Moving the voters’ roll is framed as an efficiency measure, while creating a separate delimitation commission aims to address “perceived conflicts” within ZEC.
The abolition of the Gender Commission is justified as a move to consolidate human rights oversight under a single body, the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission. Changing the defence forces’ mandate is described as a move to “reinforce” other constitutional provisions on their role.
A Constitutional Crossroads
As the Bill moves to Cabinet for consideration, the nation stands at a constitutional crossroads.
The debate pits the government’s narrative of stability and modernization against accusations of democratic backsliding and executive overreach. With calls to “DefendTheConstitution” growing louder, the coming Parliamentary process will be a critical test for Zimbabwe’s democratic institutions.
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