By Marshall Bwanya
Harare – Zimbabwe’s Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs minister, Ziyambi Ziyambi, has finally come out dismissing a viral document purporting to be a cabinet memorandum outlining sweeping constitutional amendments as “false” and “fabricated.”
The alleged memo, which has sparked political outrage, proposes extending presidential parliamentary and local authority terms by up to three years, a move critics warn could plunge the country into a constitutional crisis.
The “leaked” document suggests repealing Section 328(7) of the constitution, which currently prevents sitting leaders from benefiting from term-limit extensions.
If implemented, this could allow the current president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, and his two deputies to remain in office up to 2031, three years after the expiry of their terms.
Proposals also include amendments to Sections 143 and 158(1) to extend parliament’s tenure beyond the constitutional five-year limit, and transfer voter registration responsibilities from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to the Registrar of Births and Deaths.
Ziyambi, in an exclusive interview with NewsHub, vehemently denied the document’s authenticity, insisting any constitutional amendments must follow proper legislative procedures.
Ziyambi blamed social media for dis-informing the public but implied that government was in the process of framing its own constitutional amendments.
“I am sick and tired of social media manufacturing and circulating these false documents. This is not the process the government follows when passing a bill.
“The bill is a public document (and) there is no need to get excited. When the government has finalised it, it will be in the public domain for debate.
“As the government, if we propose a bill, we do not do so in secrecy. The procedure is public,” he said.
He urged the public to await the official gazetted version, saying: “Mine is coming, wait for it. I do not discuss these matters in secrecy. When it is released, you will see it, and it will be gazetted, not these fabricated documents.”
However, outspoken opposition figure and constitutional lawyer, Tendai Biti, condemned any efforts to amend term limits without public approval.
“The constitution is very clear. Parliament has a term of office. In particular, the presidency has a term of office,” Biti said.
“It’s not possible to have any extension of anyone’s term—whether that of a member of parliament, an executive, or the president—without a referendum. And two referendums are required, one to approve the extension, and another to allow the incumbent to benefit from that extension.”
The “leaked bill” insists that it does not intend to extend term limits of office holders in general, but those relating to the current administration.
Biti warned that attempting to implement such amendments without following constitutional processes would have dangerous consequences.
“They will be violating the constitution. The idea that they can amend and extend the term of office for parliament without referendums is simply not (feasible),” he said.
“These moves affect the stability of the country. We don’t want another coup, bloodshed, or civil war in this country. They must stop what they are doing.”
Ziyambi maintained that Zanu PF’s proposed amendments would follow legal channels. “To be honest, who doesn’t know that Zanu PF passed a resolution on what it wants to amend in the constitution?” he said.
“People should wait for mine, with my signature, which we will gazette, rather than these social media rumours,” he said.
Ziyambi said that the process would include public consultations and parliamentary debates.
Social commentator, Rashweat Mukundu, said attempts to amend the constitution and extend the tenure of the executive, parliament and local authorities could exacerbate internal divisions within the ruling Zanu PF and plunge the country into a deeper crisis.
“Zimbabwe may sink into a serious political crisis, which you are already seeing with the factions,” said Mukundu. This, to me, is an unneeded distraction from the critical needs of the people of Zimbabwe,” he said.
Source – newshubzim.co.zw
