Leaked cabinet memo exposes plot to extend President Mnangagwa’s term to 2031 as police vow to crush opposition’s planned protests

HARARE – A leaked cabinet memorandum has ignited a firestorm of controversy in Zimbabwe, revealing alleged plans to amend the constitution and extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term of office until 2031. The proposals, attributed to Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Ziyambi Ziyambi, have been met with fierce criticism and accusations of democratic backsliding.

According to Nehanda Radio, the leaked memorandum outlines a strategy to extend the terms of office for the President, Vice President, Parliament, and local councils by up to three years. This would be achieved through a two-thirds vote in Parliament, effectively postponing the 2028 elections.

The memorandum states: “The proposed amendments aim to: Extend the Presidential, Parliamentary, and Council terms of office for a period not exceeding three years, only once through a two-third parliamentary vote to enhance governance stability, align electoral cycles, and foster continuity in the implementation of long-term national development policies. The amendment will effectively postpone elections for a three-year period.”

Further fuelling concerns, the proposals also seek to transfer voter registration responsibilities from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to the Registrar of Births and Deaths, and to establish a new Zimbabwe Delimitation Commission (ZDC) to handle constituency delimitation, removing this function from ZEC. These changes would involve amending several sections of the constitution.

Hopewell Chin’ono, a prominent Zimbabwean investigative journalist, has voiced strong objections to the proposed changes, arguing that they undermine the integrity of the electoral process. “Stripping ZEC of its voter registration mandate undermines the independence and integrity of the electoral process in Zimbabwe,” Chin’ono stated.

The memorandum also suggests repealing Section 328(7) of the constitution, which currently prohibits amendments to term-limit provisions from retroactively extending the tenure of incumbents. This change would allow the proposed term extensions to apply to current officeholders, subject to public approval in a referendum. This would allow Mnangagwa to potentially remain in power until he is 92 years old.

The proposed amendments will require a two-thirds majority vote in Parliament and approval through a national referendum, in accordance with Section 328 of the Zimbabwean constitution. The process also requires public consultation.

These developments come at a time of heightened political tensions within the ruling Zanu-PF party. A faction is reportedly pushing for Mnangagwa’s impeachment, citing concerns about his “lack of mental capacity” and allegations of widespread corruption, economic mismanagement, fraudulent financial practices, and involvement in corrupt deals. The draft impeachment motion leaked a few weeks ago.

Adding to the intrigue, Parliament was abruptly adjourned until May 6, 2025, fueling speculation about government efforts to suppress the impeachment motion. The absence of key parliamentary figures, including the Speaker of Parliament and the President of the Senate, who were reportedly abroad, further heightened these suspicions.

Meanwhile, government land allocations to Members of Parliament, intended to secure legislative loyalty against a potential Mnangagwa impeachment and term extension, sparked controversy two weeks prior. At the Mabelreign District Office in Mashonaland West, numerous Members of Parliament were seen during the distribution of these land parcels.

Mnangagwa’s alleged plan to extend his term of office has reportedly resulted in a massive succession fight between him and his deputy Constantino Chiwenga, who is regarded as the frontrunner in the race to replace the current Zanu-PF leader.

Two camps now exist within Zanu-PF. One is in favour of Mnangagwa’s continued rule. This faction is supported by controversial business people who seemingly benefitted massively during Mnangagwa’s tenure. The other one is linked to Chiwenga. This one is reportedly backed by the military and disgruntled war veterans like Blessed Geza, a fugitive former Zanu-PF Central Committee member, who has been calling for a revolt to force Mnangagwa to step down.

In a parallel development, the Zimbabwe Republic Police has issued a stern warning against planned protests by opposition forces, vowing to crush any attempts to disrupt public order.

In a statement on Wednesday, police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the planned protests would target the destruction of buildings and other property. Nyathi mentioned prominent opposition politicians, Jacob Ngarivhume and Amos Chibaya among the alleged “instigators” of the planned protest.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police warns individuals and groups who have been identified as instigators, inciters and ringleaders of criminal elements who intend to unleash violence which include Malicious Damage to Property, by burning tyres and destroying buildings, that the full wrath of the law will be effected without fear or favour,” Nyathi said.

“Some of the suspects have been identified as Jacob Ngarivhume and Amos Chibaya. The Zimbabwe Republic Police and other security agencies are fully alert and will decisively deal with unruly elements who intend to disturb the existing peaceful environment.”

Nyathi did not state how the two politicians were linked to planned protests. Ngarivhume is leader of the opposition Transform Zimbabwe while Chibaya is a former CCC MP for Mkoba.

Police threats follow recent calls by former Zanu PF central committee member Blessed Geza’s for an uprising against President Emmerson Mnangagwa and a subsequent stayaway to press for the incumbent’s exit.

Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe’s leader since 2017, is under fire for allegedly sponsoring high level corruption and plans to extend his term of office beyond 2028, the time his two term limit guaranteed by the constitution lapses.

Follow @MyZimbabweNews