DAZ Warns Against Constitutional “Mutilation” for Mnangagwa’s Gain
By Staff Writer
Opposition, Democratic Alliance of Zimbabwe (DAZ), has launched a compelling appeal to Zimbabweans to defend the country’s Constitution as reports circulate that the ruling ZANU-PF party intends to amend the supreme law to extend President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa’s stay in office beyond the current limit.
DAZ says it is concerned about the apparent intention to amend the Constitution in ways that serve ZANU-PF’s political interests instead of democratic principles.
“Therefore, we urge all Zimbabweans to join us to fight this form of manipulation and suppression by our own government manipulating our Constitution through unconstitutional amendment bills.
“We have a constitution to uphold. We differ with statements attributed to Chamisa that there is no constitution to defend,” DAZ President Innocent Chenjerai Mugovera said, highlighting the party’s rejection of attacks on the foundational law.
Mugovera’s comments come as ZANU-PF delegates at their 22nd National People’s Conference in Mutare adopted a resolution to extend President Mnangagwa’s term of office to 2030.
The plan instructs government organs to begin the necessary legislative and constitutional processes to implement the extension, a move that has sparked a national debate.
DAZ spokesperson Sibusisiso Sikhosana underlined the importance of respecting the rule of law and the values enshrined in the Constitution.
“As the Democratic Alliance of Zimbabwe, we believe it is time for a new approach to governance.
“Unfortunately, due to misgovernance and corruption, our leaders have displayed utter bankruptcy in craft-competence to satisfy the hunger for development,” Sikhosana said in a press statement.
She criticised what DAZ sees as political theatre over genuine development, saying, “We don’t want leaders who go to Chivi in a helicopter to distribute water buckets!”
Sikhosana insisted that “Constitutional amendments should be done through national referendums, not unilateral decisions by the ruling party.”
She also called for civic education to ensure that citizens are not “frog-marched into mutilating their Constitution for some obscure and selfish ends.”
Legal experts also stress that any extension beyond 2028, when Mnangagwa’s current term is due to end, would require a constitutional amendment and likely a national referendum, a democratic process that is hotly contested and far from straightforward.
DAZ says it will campaign tirelessly to protect democratic norms and ensure that Zimbabwe’s supreme law is upheld, not exploited.
