Zanu PF warns party ‘rebels’ over 2030 Bill

ZANU PF has vowed to expel party members who do not support the contentious Constitutional Amendment No 3 Bill and has enlisted traditional leaders in a nationwide campaign to secure backing for the proposed changes.

The Bill has faced stiff resistance from both the governing and opposition parties, as well as civil society organisations, which argue that such sweeping constitutional amendments require direct citizen input via a national referendum. Despite the objections, Zanu PF has been mobilising its cells, districts and provincial structures ahead of Parliament-led consultations scheduled for next week.

Amendment Bill No 3 seeks to scrap direct presidential elections, transfer the power to elect the President to Parliament — where Zanu PF wields a two-thirds majority — and extend presidential and parliamentary terms by two years, from 2028 to 2030, without a referendum.

The government and Zanu PF have insisted that a referendum is not necessary.

Critics argue that the Bill entrenches Zanu PF’s grip on power, undermines democratic processes and effectively excludes millions of Zimbabweans from meaningful participation in shaping the nation’s supreme law.

Zanu PF has been holding meetings across the country, mobilising its cells, districts and provincial structures ahead of Parliament-led consultations scheduled for next week.

According to Parliament’s schedule, 64 public hearings are set between March 30 and April 2 — averaging fewer than seven per province over four days. By contrast, the 2013 Constitution involved 4 821 public outreach meetings across 1 950 wards over 105 days under the Constitution Select Committee.

Among other amendments, the proposed law seeks to abolish the Zimbabwe Gender Commission, with critics arguing that the proposed law amounts to a “procedural coup” that excludes millions of Zimbabweans from the legislative process.

In Manicaland, Zanu PF leaders told a provincial coordination committee meeting at Marymount Teachers’ College in Mutare that members opposing the Bill will be dismissed.

Albert Nyakuedzwa, the provincial political commissar, said, “If you do not support [Amendment] Bill No 3, you are going to be expelled from the party… We are serious about this.” Outreach programmes, including inter-district meetings across all eight Manicaland districts, are set to begin tomorrow.

“We have deployed teams and will visit every ward and cell with this issue,” he said.

The party’s provincial chairperson, Tawanda Mukodza, emphasised the involvement of traditional leaders in the efforts, describing their role as critical in influencing rural communities.

“Traditional leaders will help us to whip villagers to support Bill No 3. This is now a matter of life and death for our political future,” he said.

Mukodza demanded full co-operation from central committee members and legislators.

“All MPs and central committee members must make their vehicles available during these outreach activities. If any MP refuses to use party vehicle, we will take further action,” he warned.

Mukodza said attendance at all levels — from cell groups to provincial meetings — was mandatory and non-negotiable.

The push comes amid heightened attacks on critics, including prominent opposition lawyer Professor Lovemore Madhuku, who was assaulted in Harare for opposing the Bill.

The government’s strategy of mobilising traditional leaders underscores its reliance on cultural influence to sway public opinion — a method that remains highly controversial in Zimbabwe’s fragile democratic landscape. Newsday