ZCC Says No to Amendment Bill No. 3, Warns It Gives Too Much Power to the President

By Desire Tshuma

HARARE — The Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) has asked Parliament to cancel or change the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Bill No. 3 (2026), saying it would give too much power to the President and weaken checks and balances.

In a 20-page letter sent to the Clerk of Parliament on 13 April 2026, the ZCC said the Bill could harm the country and damage the President’s legacy. The letter is titled _The Church as Watchmen of the People’s Covenant_.

The ZCC represents 32 churches with more than 3 million members. It said it had prayed and spoken to many people before deciding to speak out. It quoted the Bible, Ezekiel 3:17, saying the Church must warn the nation when it sees danger.

Why ZCC is against the Bill.
The ZCC listed seven main problems:
1. Too much power for the President — The Bible teaches leaders should serve people, not rule by force.
2. Could lead to corruption— The Bill removes ways to hold leaders to account and lets them stay in power longer without a new election.
3. Hurts development— Countries grow when they have strong rules and institutions, not when one person stays in power too long.
4. Takes power from citizens— People should choose their leaders.
5. Weakens groups that check government— The Bible says leaders must “do justly.”
6. Stops national healing — The Bill removes ways for Zimbabweans to make peace and reconcile.
7. Forgets the poor — The Bible says leaders must speak up for the poor.

“The Church cannot support a law that breaks public trust and goes against God’s will for fair and caring leadership,” the ZCC said.

What’s happening in other countries
Other African countries have changed their constitutions in ways that let presidents stay longer. Uganda removed age limits in 2017. Rwanda changed its rules in 2015 so the president could stay until 2034. Guinea changed its constitution in 2020, which led to protests. The ZCC says Zimbabwe should not follow that path.

The ZCC wants Parliament to withdraw the Bill or change it a lot. It said churches will take part in public meetings about the Bill and will send their views to every constituency.

The full Bill has not been made public yet. Efforts to get a comment from the Clerk of Parliament and the Ministry of Justice were not successful.