STAFF Writer
HARARE, ZIMBABWE – A constitutional showdown is looming in Zimbabwe over President Emmerson Mnangagwa's potential bid for a third term.
Wants Third term- Mnangagwa
While government officials, including Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, suggest a constitutional amendment to extend his presidency beyond 2028 is feasible, prominent constitutional law expert Lovemore Madhuku has declared such a move practically impossible.
This stark disagreement highlights the deep political divisions and significant legal obstacles that lie ahead.
Zanu-PF's plan to extend Mnangagwa's term relies on a three-pronged approach: securing internal party approval for constitutional change, leveraging support from a dissenting faction within the country's main opposition party Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) led by Sengezo Tshabangu, and generating public backing for a subsequent referendum.
However, Madhuku, in an interview with Open Parly a local online publication here , meticulously outlined the complex legal process, emphasizing the near-insurmountable hurdles involved in amending the constitution, including securing a two-thirds majority in parliament and a national referendum.
He casts serious doubt on the feasibility of achieving these objectives, citing expected public opposition and the unlikelihood of garnering the necessary parliamentary votes.
He also points to the inherent contradiction of President Mnangagwa himself having to sign the legislation that would extend his own term.
Minister Ziyambi, however, expressed a more optimistic view, asserting that the government is prepared to initiate the amendment process if instructed, citing the public's purported desire for Mnangagwa's continued leadership.
He emphasizes the democratic right of the people to express their will.
Adding a further layer of complexity, Tshabangu's faction of the CCC has surprisingly voiced support for extending Mnangagwa's tenure, creating speculation over the political motivations behind this unexpected alliance.
The conflicting pronouncements from leading figures, coupled with the surprising support from a segment of the opposition, have created a highly charged political atmosphere, leaving the future of Mnangagwa's presidency and the possibility of constitutional amendment shrouded in considerable uncertainty.
The coming months will be crucial in determining whether this ambitious plan can overcome the significant legal and political challenges that lie ahead.
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