Chiwenga Rejects South African Model in Cabinet Row Over Constitutional Amendments
Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has clashed with Zimbabwe's Attorney General over proposed constitutional changes, dismissing South Africa as a governance model during heated cabinet discussions that exposed deep rifts within President Mnangagwa's administration.
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Zimbabwe's constitutional reform process has hit turbulence after Vice President Constantino Chiwenga confronted Attorney General Virginia Mabiza during cabinet meetings, rejecting her proposal to use South Africa's governance framework as a template for planned amendments, according to reports from ZimLive.
The confrontation, which sources describe as unusually fierce for cabinet proceedings, underscores growing tensions within the ruling ZANU-PF party over the direction of constitutional changes that could reshape Zimbabwe's political landscape. Chiwenga reportedly told Mabiza that "South Africa is no example at all" when she referenced the neighboring country's constitutional provisions during discussions on governance reforms.
Military Figures Unite Against Proposed Changes
The Vice President's opposition to the Attorney General's proposals has found support from Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri and Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, General Anselem Sanyatwe, creating a formidable bloc of military-aligned officials resistant to certain constitutional amendments. ZimLive reports that Sanyatwe has been particularly vocal in opposing changes that could affect the military's role in national governance, a sensitive issue given Zimbabwe's history of military involvement in civilian politics.
South Africa's constitution, adopted in 1996 and widely regarded as one of the continent's most progressive, establishes clear civilian control over the military and includes extensive checks and balances on executive power. The document emerged from negotiations that ended apartheid and has served as a reference point for constitutional reforms across the Southern African Development Community region. However, critics note that South Africa has faced its own governance challenges, including state capture scandals and political instability that may have influenced Chiwenga's dismissive assessment.
Constitutional Amendment Context
Zimbabwe's current constitution, adopted through a 2013 referendum, was itself a compromise document that emerged from the Government of National Unity period following the disputed 2008 elections. Since then, President Emmerson Mnangagwa's administration has made several attempts to amend the charter, including controversial changes in 2021 that extended the tenure of senior judges and altered the appointment process for the prosecutor general and Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission chairperson.
The African Union's governance architecture promotes constitutionalism and democratic governance through various instruments, including the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance. Zimbabwe is a signatory to this charter, which emphasizes the importance of constitutional processes that reflect broad national consensus. The current internal disagreements within cabinet suggest that such consensus remains elusive even within the ruling party itself.
Regional Implications and Power Dynamics
The clash between Chiwenga and the Attorney General reflects deeper fault lines within ZANU-PF regarding succession planning and the balance of power between civilian and military elements within government. Chiwenga, a former Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander who played a pivotal role in the 2017 military intervention that ended Robert Mugabe's presidency, has maintained close ties with the security establishment throughout his political career.
Constitutional experts monitoring the situation note that the rejection of South Africa's model may signal resistance to reforms that would strengthen parliamentary oversight or limit executive powers. The Institute for Security Studies has previously observed that Zimbabwe's constitutional implementation has been selective, with certain provisions regarding devolution and rights protections remaining largely unfulfilled a decade after adoption.
The Southern African Development Community has historically advocated for member states to adhere to constitutional governance principles, though its enforcement mechanisms remain limited. Zimbabwe's constitutional debates occur against a backdrop of economic challenges, with the country seeking to normalize relations with international financial institutions and Western governments that have emphasized governance reforms as prerequisites for renewed engagement.
As cabinet discussions continue, the outcome of this internal dispute could determine whether Zimbabwe pursues comprehensive constitutional reforms or opts for more limited amendments that preserve existing power structures. The involvement of senior military figures in these debates highlights the enduring influence of the security sector in Zimbabwe's political decision-making processes, a dynamic that continues to shape the country's governance trajectory more than four decades after independence.