By Victor Fanuel
HARARE — The Zimbabwean government has lashed out at former Botswana president Ian Khama after he described President Emmerson Mnangagwa as “power hungry” amid growing controversy over Zanu PF’s push to amend the Constitution and potentially extend his stay in office until 2030.
Khama made the remarks on social media while arguing that Zimbabwe had seen little meaningful change since the era of former Rhodesian leader Ian Smith.
“The only thing that has changed is the name of the country and the names of its leaders,” Khama wrote. “Oppressors come in all colours.”
Responding to the criticism, government spokesperson Ndavaningi Mangwana dismissed Khama’s comments as an attempt to regain public attention.
“Who really cares about the opinions of some washed-up has-been seeking relevance as a remedy to self-inflicted loneliness?” Mangwana said.
Khama, who served as Botswana’s president from 2008 to 2018, has repeatedly criticised Zimbabwe’s leadership over what he views as shortcomings in governance, democracy and human rights.
“Here we go again,” Khama wrote. “Another power-hungry president has the Constitution amended through rigging and cash inducements to extend his term of office.
“Zimbabwe has now become the latest in a growing list of countries whose presidents want to cling to power and manipulate the Constitution to achieve that.”
Khama cited several long-serving African leaders, including Cameroon’s President Paul Biya, 93, who has been in power for 43 years; Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni, 81, who has ruled for four decades; and Rwanda’s Paul Kagame, 68, who has led the country for 26 years.
“Political assassinations, fabricated charges and detentions, kidnappings and disappearances, as recently seen in Tanzania and Uganda, are the modus operandi of these and other such tyrants.
“Zimbabwe and its long-suffering people have been subjected to the same, from the days of Gukurahundi to the present day.
Oppressors come in all colours,” Khama said.
The criticism comes days after the National Assembly passed the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill, with 216 legislators voting in favour and 42 against — comfortably surpassing the two-thirds majority required to amend the Constitution.
Among its key provisions, the Bill proposes extending presidential terms from five years to seven years.
If enacted, the changes could allow Mnangagwa, 83, to remain in office until 2030, two years beyond the expiry of his current term.
Mnangagwa came to power in November 2017 following a military-assisted transition that ended former president Robert Mugabe’s 37-year rule.
Supporters of the proposed constitutional changes argue they will promote political stability, reduce the cost of frequent elections and provide continuity for long-term economic programmes.
However, the proposal has triggered rare and vocal opposition from sections of the public, civil society groups and some liberation war veterans, who accuse Mnangagwa of attempting to entrench his hold on power.
The Bill also seeks to introduce changes that would see future presidents elected by Parliament rather than through a direct popular vote.
The proposed legislation now heads to the Senate for consideration before it can be ratified.
