Constitutional Amendment Sparks Cabinet Clash as War Veterans Launch Legal Challenge
Zimbabwe's controversial Constitutional Amendment (No. 3) bill has triggered internal government tensions and legal opposition, with Vice President Chiwenga reportedly clashing with the Attorney-General while war veterans file an urgent court application to block the proposed changes.
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Zimbabwe's political landscape has been thrust into turmoil following the gazetting of Constitutional Amendment (No. 3), a bill that critics claim is designed to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa's tenure beyond the constitutional two-term limit. The amendment has sparked fierce resistance from unexpected quarters, including within the ruling party itself, as a 90-day public consultation period begins.
Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda officially gazetted the amendment on February 16, initiating a mandatory consultation period before MPs and Senators cast their final votes. According to Bulawayo24, the bill must secure two-thirds majority support in both chambers before proceeding to a referendum, a constitutional requirement for amendments affecting presidential term limits.
Cabinet Tensions Erupt Over Amendment Process
The amendment has exposed deep fractures within government ranks. A Cabinet meeting last Tuesday reportedly descended into open confrontation when Vice President Constantino Chiwenga angrily interrupted Attorney-General Virginia Mabhiza during deliberations on the constitutional changes, according to Bulawayo24 reports. The clash signals significant internal opposition to the amendment within the executive branch itself, though neither Chiwenga's office nor the Attorney-General's chambers have issued official statements on the incident.
The confrontation comes as speculation mounts about succession dynamics within ZANU-PF, with Chiwenga widely viewed as a potential successor to Mnangagwa. Constitutional experts note that extending presidential terms could disrupt existing political calculations and succession arrangements within the ruling party.
War Veterans Mount Legal Challenge
In a dramatic development, six war veterans have launched an urgent legal challenge to block the amendment. Constitutional lawyer Lovemore Madhuku filed the application at Zimbabwe's Constitutional Court on behalf of the veterans, marking a significant break between liberation war fighters and the government they helped bring to power. Bulawayo24 reported that the application seeks to halt the amendment process on constitutional grounds, though specific legal arguments have not been publicly disclosed.
The war veterans' opposition represents a particularly sensitive challenge for ZANU-PF, which has historically relied on liberation credentials to legitimize its governance. Their involvement in opposing the amendment undermines government narratives that position the changes as necessary for national stability and continuity.
Opposition Figures Face Intensified Scrutiny
As the constitutional debate intensifies, police officers have reportedly camped outside the Milton Park offices of Tendai Biti, a prominent opposition lawyer and political figure who leads the Constitutional Alliance. According to Bulawayo24, the police presence has raised concerns about potential intimidation of voices opposing the amendment. Biti has been a vocal critic of constitutional changes that would extend executive tenure.
The police deployment comes amid pledges by opposition politicians and civic activists to intensify resistance to what they characterize as unconstitutional attempts to extend presidential power. These groups have vowed to honor the late Blessed Runesu Geza, whose recent death has galvanized anti-amendment sentiment, by mobilizing public opposition during the consultation period.
Debate Over Institutional Stability
Government supporters have framed the amendment using rhetoric of "stability" and "continuity," arguing that leadership consistency is necessary for economic recovery and policy implementation. However, critics counter that genuine stability requires strengthening democratic institutions rather than extending individual tenures. As one analysis published in Bulawayo24 noted, "those who seek to implement unpopular changes often cloak them in seemingly legitimate causes."
Civil society organizations have called for robust public participation during the 90-day consultation period, emphasizing that constitutional amendments affecting presidential term limits carry profound implications for Zimbabwe's democratic trajectory. Regional bodies including the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have historically expressed concern about constitutional changes that extend executive tenure across the region.
The outcome of the amendment process will likely hinge on whether ZANU-PF can maintain internal cohesion despite apparent divisions, secure the required two-thirds parliamentary majority, and navigate public opposition during the consultation period. With war veterans, opposition figures, and apparently some within government itself expressing reservations, the amendment faces a more contested path than initially anticipated.
The Constitutional Court's response to the war veterans' challenge could prove decisive, potentially halting the process before it reaches parliament or establishing legal parameters that shape the amendment's final form. As Zimbabwe enters this critical 90-day period, the constitutional debate has evolved from a legislative exercise into a broader contest over democratic norms and institutional integrity.