ZANU-PF Official Backs Presidential Term Extension Without Referendum

Former COPAC chairperson Paul Mangwana, a prominent ZANU-PF figure, publicly asserted that the proposed Constitution Amendment Bill (No.3) requires only a parliamentary majority, not a national referendum, to pass. This approach would mean bypassing broader public consultation on a critical constitutional change. Mangwana argues the bill is consistent with constitutional provisions, legitimizing changes like extending the presidential term. However, this directly clashes with opposition and civic society demands for a referendum, who view such extensions without public consent as undermining democratic principles. The bill aims to extend the presidential term from five to seven years, potentially allowing President Emmerson Mnangagwa to remain in power beyond 2028. ZANU-PF pushes a legislative path to secure presidential term extensions.