Public hearings on Zimbabwe's Constitutional Amendment Bill (CAB3) descended into chaos in Chitungwiza, with a woman in a cream floral dress heckling speakers supporting the proposed changes. The bill seeks to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa's term to 2030, increase presidential and parliamentary terms from five to seven years, and grant parliament the power to elect the president. Currently, the president is directly elected for a maximum of two terms, but Mnangagwa's ZANU-PF party holds a firm parliamentary majority, leading critics to fear the amendments would entrench one-party rule.
Resident Mike Kashiri from Epworth voiced support, claiming parliamentary election of the president would reduce political violence. However, Harare-based mobile technician Ishmael Phololo countered that MPs are detached from citizens' struggles and should not vote on their behalf. Phololo stated, "If they want indefinite terms, they should just declare Zimbabwe a monarchy and stop pretending we have democracy," reflecting widespread public skepticism toward the government's motives.
The week-long hearings were marred by allegations of bias and suppression. In Epworth, a microphone was snatched from a representative of the Constitution Defenders Forum, an anti-CAB3 civic group. Former mayor Annah Sande reported similar treatment, accusing moderators of being ruling party members. Three opposition-led organizations have boycotted the hearings, calling them "fundamentally flawed." Analysts note that MPs conducting the consultations would themselves benefit from extended terms if the bill passes.
Constitutional expert Justice Mavedzenge argued CAB3 is an attempt by Mnangagwa to cling to power and lay groundwork for dynastic succession. He highlighted that Mnangagwa chaired the cabinet meeting that approved the bill extending his own rule. Despite Mnangagwa's denials of seeking to stay beyond his current term, Mavedzenge suggested the president aims to handpick a family successor. Former opposition MP Gift Siziba dismissed pro-CAB3 arguments, noting Zimbabwe's economic collapse makes term extensions nonsensical.
Supporters, including Kashiri, praised Mnangagwa's infrastructure projects and argued he needs more time. Yet Phololo remained skeptical, questioning, "What if projects aren't completed in the extra years? Will the president leave after seven, or want another seven? What if a successor claims they need 20 years?" The hearings have fueled concerns about democratic backsliding, with reports of activist arrests and abductions ahead of the consultations.
The bill is expected to easily pass in the ZANU-PF-dominated parliament, bypassing a referendum many citizens demand. This has intensified feelings of hopelessness among Zimbabweans who view the process as predetermined. The controversy echoes past tensions under former president Robert Mugabe, whose own prolonged rule and alleged dynastic plans ended in a military-assisted transition that brought Mnangagwa to power. Observers warn that the amendment could deepen political intolerance and economic woes in a nation already grappling with legitimacy crises.
Source: www.aljazeera.com