Zimbabwe Introduces Bill to Extend Mnangagwa's Term to 2030

Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi introduced the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3) in the National Assembly on June 2, 2026, at the New Parliament Building in Mt Hampden. The proposed legislation seeks to extend presidential and legislative terms from five to seven years, which would allow President Emmerson Mnangagwa to remain in office until 2030. Additionally, the bill proposes shifting the selection of the president from a direct popular vote to an appointment by parliament.

To ensure party discipline and prevent dissent amid internal factional rivalries, Ziyambi confirmed that voting will be conducted publicly rather than by secret ballot, expecting all ZANU-PF legislators to support the measure. The government cited a 90-day public consultation process that yielded over 500,000 submissions, which the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Justice is currently consolidating into a report.

Opposition MP Edwin Mushoriwa and various war veterans have criticized the move as fast-tracking, arguing that the amendment requires a referendum. These opponents have filed legal challenges with the Constitutional Court of Zimbabwe, which has reserved judgment. Despite these objections, Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda rejected calls to delay the debate, maintaining that the legislative process should proceed. The government expects the bill to be finalized by the end of June, leveraging ZANU-PF's two-thirds majority in the lower house.