HARARE, ZIMBABWE — The lower house of Zimbabwe’s parliament has passed a highly controversial constitutional amendment bill that extends presidential and parliamentary terms from five to seven years. The sweeping legislative changes will allow 83-year-old President Emerson Mnangagwa to remain in power until 2030 and replace direct presidential elections with a parliamentary vote. Zanu-PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa defended the constitutional amendment, asserting that the move follows proper democratic channels and does not require a public referendum.
The controversial bill not only extends the terms of the president and lawmakers but also scraps direct presidential elections entirely, handing the power to elect the head of state over to parliament. The legislation was passed with a two-thirds majority, securing 232 votes. Addressing the backlash from opposition parties and civil society organizations—who have labeled the move as democratic backsliding—Zanu-PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa dismissed the criticism as mere “huffing and puffing.” He explained that the constitutional authority to pass laws rests with parliament, and the judiciary has already thrown out legal challenges attempting to halt the amendment. Mutsvangwa argued that a parliamentary system for electing a president is a globally recognized practice, drawing comparisons to South Africa’s parliamentary election model, the United States’ electoral college, and Zimbabwe’s own 1980 independence election, which utilized an electoral college to choose the prime minister.
Despite the controversy, Mutsvangwa maintained that a rigorous democratic process was followed, highlighting a 90-day public consultation period across the country. He noted that the overwhelming support in parliament reflected near unanimity among the populace. The original draft of the constitutional amendment bill had included a provision targeting the independent gender commission, proposing to transfer its powers to the human rights commission. However, Mutsvangwa confirmed that this specific clause was struck out during the legislative process. He revealed that the provision faced fierce opposition from the public, senators, MPs, the ruling party’s women’s league, and even his own wife, who serves as the minister of women affairs. Consequently, the clause failed the “litmus test” of the people and was dropped.
President Emerson Mnangagwa has previously branded himself a constitutionalist, leading critics to question the sudden shift to extend his tenure. Mutsvangwa justified the extension by pointing to a dramatic economic turnaround under Mnangagwa’s leadership. He claimed Zimbabwe is now one of the fastest-growing economies in Africa, projecting it will maintain this status for the next 10 to 15 years. The spokesperson highlighted the country’s integration into the global value chain through lithium production, noting that Zimbabwe has beneficiated the mineral to lithium carbonate—one step away from the final product—and is building battery plants in places like Richard’s Bay and Port Elizabeth. He also touted the construction of the largest steel plant in sub-Saharan Africa, which he claimed has outcompeted South African steel plants, and emphasized that national grain silos are full, eliminating the need for World Food Programme famine relief. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” Mutsvangwa stated, urging the president to continue his work. Furthermore, he explained that extending the term helps mitigate security risks during the transition period. He argued that hostile forces had been marshaling around the 2028 handover date, and moving the transition further down the line prevents them from exploiting the vulnerability of the “relay race” baton handover.
The interview also touched upon recent marches in South Africa’s Western Cape, where protesters demanded the repatriation of undocumented immigrants, including many Zimbabweans. Mutsvangwa contextualized the protests within the historical framework of Southern Africa, describing the unrest as an exploitation of poor people against poor people. He traced the roots of this xenophobia to the racist labor models introduced by the British and Americans in the gold mines during the 1870s. Emphasizing the deep historical ties between Zanu-PF and the African National Congress (ANC)—noting they belong to the same “Shota Samura” generation of the 1970s liberation struggle—Mutsvangwa mentioned his long-standing working relationship with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and the late anti-apartheid activist Ruth First. He contrasted South Africa’s current border policies with Zimbabwe’s inclusive approach, noting that Zimbabwe recognizes 16 official languages, including Zulu and Ndebele, and has historically granted citizenship to Malawians and Zambians.
Addressing the plight of Zimbabweans in South Africa, Mutsvangwa confirmed that Zimbabwe is actively repatriating citizens who wish to return home voluntarily. He stated that the country’s improving economy is now capable of absorbing its diaspora, noting that immigration authorities have exempted returning citizens from standard customs duties on their property. He also pointed out that white Zimbabweans are voluntarily returning and investing heavily in affluent suburbs. Blaming Western countries and those with vested historical interests for attempting to keep Africans at the bottom of the economic ladder, he emphasized a unified vision for the region. While acknowledging that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) projected a 5% growth rate that might fall short to 4.6%, Mutsvangwa remained optimistic. He cited the success of 182,000 registered farming families producing world-class Virginia tobacco, claiming they generate up to $8 billion each season, alongside two million young people engaged in gold mining, which he says has strengthened the local currency. Looking ahead, Mutsvangwa revealed plans to host a minority summit in Victoria Falls to address minority issues across Africa, citing collaborative efforts between South Africa and Zimbabwe in resolving conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. He concluded by reaffirming his own background as a former minister of war veterans who has engaged with groups like AfriForum on land issues, emphasizing a homogeneous and economically thriving Southern African region.
