By Staff Reporter
HARARE — The government is pushing constitutional amendments that would extend presidential terms to seven years, scrap direct presidential elections, and reshape the succession framework.
Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi is expected to table a memorandum to cabinet on tuesday outlining the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Bill, 2026.
The draft introduces sweeping changes to governance and institutional structures.
One key proposal is repealing section 92, letting parliament elect the president instead of citizens. under the draft, members of the National Assembly and Senate would vote after general elections or when a vacancy occurs.
The bill also seeks to extend presidential and parliamentary terms from five to seven years.
This could allow President Emmerson Mnangagwa, currently in his second term, to stay in office until 2030.
The government says longer terms reduce “election mode toxicity” and allow more time for programmes.
Lawyers say a public referendum may be required, but Ziyambi insists it is unnecessary.
A Constitutional Court case sponsored by Zanu PF and fronted by Matabeleland group Ibhetshu LikaZulu is set to determine this before Chief Justice Luke Malaba retires on may 14.
Critics warn scrapping direct elections could dilute citizens’ power and centralise authority in parliament, where Zanu PF dominates. they say it could also allow wealthy politicians to sway MPs’ votes.
The amendments would change succession rules.
Instead of the vice president automatically taking over, parliament would elect a new president after a vacancy.
Analysts say this could weaken the vice president’s traditional advantage and fuel speculation within Zanu PF, where Vice President Constantino Chiwenga is seen as a potential successor.
Another provision would increase the Senate by 10 presidential appointees, expanding executive influence.
The bill also proposes abolishing the Zimbabwe Gender Commission and transferring its duties to the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission.
The National Peace and Reconciliation Commission would be repealed.
Voter registration would move from ZEC to the Registrar General, and traditional leaders could engage in partisan politics.
Ziyambi argues existing restrictions “violate their political rights.” t
The Zimbabwe Defence Forces’ mandate would change to act “in accordance with the Constitution.”
Ziyambi says the amendments will “reinforce constitutional governance, strengthen democratic structures, clarify institutional mandates, and harmonise Zimbabwe’s constitutional order with tested and successful practices in other progressive jurisdictions.”
If passed, these changes would be the most extensive overhaul since the 2013 constitution.
