• Zimbabwe’s Zanu-PF-led bill seeks to extend presidential terms, alter election processes, and reshape governance structures.
• Nationwide hearings revealed mixed reactions, with supporters citing stability and savings, while critics demand a referendum for fairness.
• Critics warn the bill could entrench one-party dominance, limit democratic accountability, and suppress dissent through intimidation and violence.

Hundreds turned out as Zimbabwe’s parliament began nationwide public hearings on a Constitution Amendment Bill drafted by the ruling Zanu-PF.

The proposed changes, which include extending presidential terms and altering how presidents are elected, have drawn both strong support and sharp criticism.

At a rural gathering in Chitungwiza, 25km from Harare, most speakers supported the proposed bill. Chitungwiza - the third-largest urban centre after Harare and Bulawayo - has historically voted for the opposition.

However, Zanu-PF has made gains in recent years.

Shylock Muyengwa, a medical doctor, argued that passing the bill would bring stability and savings to the state.

“The bill has been crafted with a budget in mind,” Muyengwa said.

“If you look at changes around the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and the registrar, it saves us $15 million (€13 million).”

He added that the seven-year transition could save up to 36% of potential resources, amounting to about $20 million per year.

From a five to seven-year term limit

One of the key proposals is to extend the terms of the presidency and parliament.

Zimbabwe holds presidential and parliamentary elections every five years, with presidents elected directly by voters under the 2013 constitution.

This amendment would extend the terms to seven years, delaying the next election from 2028 to 2030.

If enacted, it would extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s tenure beyond his current and final term, which ends in 2028.

READ | Rights lawyer beaten up, opposition leader flees during hearing on Mnangagwa rule extension

Nationwide hearings, running from 30 March to 2 April, are being held as part of the constitutional consultation process.

Many Zimbabweans had high hopes that the country would usher in a new era of democracy following the 2017 coup that ousted the late president Robert Mugabe.

Zanu-PF is strongly pushing for the bill to pass.

Critics warn that the changes could entrench one‑party dominance and weaken democratic accountability, especially the proposal to hold a parliamentary election to choose the president, replacing direct national voting.

Another key reform would alter the role of Zimbabwe’s Electoral Commission by returning some powers, such as voter registration, to the Registrar-General.

Those proposals could reshape Zimbabwe’s political landscape for decades to come.

Critics of the bill cry foul

“I do not have a problem with amendments to the constitution if it is done properly,” Rutendo Muzirwa told DW.

“The current constitution came through a referendum, so why can’t you go through the referendum, if there is no rigging? Let’s go for the referendum,” she insisted, adding that a referendum gives everyone a chance to have their say.

She said to some boos from the crowd:

Opponents began leaving the venue, saying parliament was ignoring their contributions.

Similar concerns about limited participation have been raised nationally, with observers criticising the highly compressed four‑day hearing schedule.

The opposition and civic organisations say they would do everything in their power to stop the bill from passing.

Ahead of the consultations, Amnesty International called on the Zimbabwean government to do everything in its power to ensure a peaceful, fair and transparent process.

“Amnesty International urges the Zimbabwean authorities to guarantee, without discrimination, the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly during the upcoming public hearings,” Vongai Chikwanda, Amnesty International’s deputy regional director for East and Southern Africa, said.

Amnesty calls for a fair process

Quoting Article 61 of Zimbabwe’s constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression and the rights to peaceful assembly and association, key pillars of democratic participation, Chikwanda warned that restrictions on public debate before, during, or after public hearings could shut down genuine participation, accountability, and the rule of law.

“Given past incidents of violence and suppression of dissenting voices, authorities must take concrete measures to ensure all participants can freely express their views and assemble without fear of intimidation, harassment, assault, or arrest,” he added.

Reports have also emerged in recent weeks of arrests and alleged assaults of some critics of the bill, including lawyers Lovemore Madhuku and Tendai Biti, heightening concerns about shrinking civic space.

Once the public hearings close on 2 April, parliamentary committees will compile public submissions before the bill is debated and most likely endorsed in the National Assembly, where the ruling Zanu-PF party enjoys a two-thirds majority.

This article was originally published on dw.com.