Rights Group launches campaign to challenge presidential term extension

Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition has launched a campaign titled “Tinoida yakadaro, Siyifuna Injalo” to challenge the growing calls from President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s supporters to extend the 82year old’s reign to 2030.

The Coalition released a statement on 4 September 2025 after their Coordinating Committee meeting where they called upon Zimbabweans to resist Mnangagwa’s attempts to retain power beyond the constitutionally prescribed two 5 year terms.

“The meeting acknowledged the intensified efforts by the ruling ZANU PF party to expedite the presidential term extension while bypassing the requirement for a referendum. In response, the Coalition will continue mobilizing communities across the country to build a constitutional defense movement aimed at safeguarding the constitution from regressive amendments,” read the statement.

“As part of its resistance to these perceived constitutional changes, the Coalition has launched a campaign specifically designed to address the challenges arising from ongoing alterations to the constitution and the increasingly restrictive operational environment.This campaign, titled “Tinoida Yakadaro, ” “Siyifuna injalo’’ which translates to “we want it like that, ” signals a strong stance against any tampering with the constitution, particularly regarding provisions that require a referendum,” read the statement.

The meeting also addressed the shrinking civic space in the wake of the promulgation of the PVO Bill.

“Coordinating Committee expressed concerns regarding the numerous obstacles that organizations are encountering in the process of registering as Private Voluntary Organizations (PVOs). It was noted that the interview sessions conducted by the authorities have become highly securitized, raising alarm on the sincerity of the authorities around this law. Many organizations reported that the nature of the questioning felt intrusive and often strayed far from topics pertinent to their areas of work, leading to an environment that resembled an interrogation rather than an assessment,” read the statement.

The members of the Coalition resolved to not register as is required by the PVO Act, instead take government to court to have some of its provisions repealed.

Meanwhile, Minister of Local Government, Daniel Garwe has reiterated that the President must stay beyond 2028.

In his latest address, the minister says there will be no elections until 2030.

However, the constitution requires that elections are held every five years in Zimbabwe. Garwe’s remarks indicates that Zanu PF is persisting with its agenda to postpone elections, something which may require a constitutional amendment.

Zanu PF is trying to use parliament to postpone elections to avoid amending presidential terms to extend Mnangagwa’s rule as that requires a referendum or referenda, which it fears.

A referendum to change or remove presidential terms may end up as a referendum on Mnangagwa and Zanu PF itself.

Some lawyers say using parliament to postpone elections will be tantamount to a coup against the constitution.

This comes ahead of the ruling Zanu PF’s annual conference at Mutare Polytechnic from 13-18 October where Mnangagwa’s allies plan to use the gathering to push the 2030 agenda.

Mnangagwa’s close allies are vigorously lobbying for him to extend his rule beyond his 2028 second term constitutional limit to 2030.

While Mnangagwa says he not interested in clinging to power by extending his rule, his allies insist he must stay in office longer in power.

The 2030 saga is part of the ongoing raging succession battle between Mnangagwa and Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, who wants to come in at all costs. NewsHawks