Zim GBC News | Harare Correspondent
Zanu PF Treasurer General Patrick Chinamasa has thrown his weight behind proposed constitutional amendments that would extend presidential and parliamentary terms, arguing that Africa’s development struggles are a direct result of frequent government changes.
Speaking on the Constitutional Amendment No. 3 Bill (2026), which seeks to extend term limits from five to seven years and alter the presidential election process, Chinamasa asserted that a lack of policy continuity has left the continent in a state of retarded development.
He suggested that African nations should look to China’s governance model as a blueprint for success, praising the one-party system for its ability to implement sustained policies over generations.
“As for the lengthening of term limits for Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Authority Election Cycles, I express myself to be fully behind and in support of this reform of our political system,” Chinamasa said.
“I have long argued that the problem of Africa’s continuing underdevelopment is the frequent changes of governments giving rise to a lack of continuity and the Stop-Start development path that inevitably leads to retarded development. For development to take place, a country needs sustained implementation of progressive policies over generations.”
Citing China’s rapid transformation over the past fifty years, Chinamasa urged African countries to take notes.
“The People’s Republic of China is a good example which we should emulate. In less than half a century, China has successfully transformed itself from a largely agrarian underdeveloped country ranking as one of the poorest countries in the world to a leading economic, industrial and technological powerhouse.”
In addition to extending term limits, the proposed bill includes a controversial shift to have the President elected indirectly by Parliament rather than through universal suffrage. Chinamasa defended this move, claiming it would prevent governance gridlock and reduce national tension.
“Another political reform introduced by Constitutional Amendment Number 3, and which I fully support, is the election of the President by Parliament and not by universal suffrage as is currently the case,” he stated.
“This reform is long overdue. The election of the President by universal suffrage, besides being an unnecessary drain on the country’s resources and toxic, has the potential risk that a President elected by universal suffrage may find that his Party is in the minority in Parliament, creating problems of governance. A President unable to gain the support of Parliament will be a lame duck.”
The proposed amendments are expected to spark intense debate among legislators and civic society in the coming weeks.
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