Since rising to power through a military coup six years ago, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been pushing through changes to the constitution to consolidate his power and none of the amendments are meant to improve the lives of ordinary Zimbabweans.
In 2021, the constitution of Zimbabwe was amended to strengthen the hand of the executive in the appointment of judges and the prosecutor general.
Zanu PF used its majority in Parliament to push constitutional amendments that changed aspects relating to the process of appointment and tenure of judges in the Supreme Court of Appeals and the Constitutional Court.
The amendments went a long way in eroding the independence of the judiciary, which had been strengthened with the adoption of the new supreme law in 2023. These changes were a clear assault on democracy.
As if that was not enough, it was recently revealed that the government is already lining up new constitutional amendments that will significantly alter Zimbabwe’s electoral processes.
The proposed changes include transferring voter registration from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) to the Registrar General’s office and remove the delimitation responsibilities from the commission.
Zanu PF essentially wants a return to the pre-2009 system by reversing several progressive electoral reforms.
If the amendments are allowed to go through, Zec’s independence will be further eroded and the citizens’ confidence and trust in the electoral system will take another battering.
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The announcement of the proposed changes to the constitution came at a time when there was raging debate about Mnangagwa’s alleged plans to remove presidential term limits so that he can run for a third term.
Others believe he will change the constitution in order to make it easier for him to impose his successor.
Zimbabwe’s 10-year-old constitution has already been amended twice with Amendment No.2 introducing a whopping 23 changes at one go.
The current constitution was adopted after a people-driven process and it is wrong for Zanu PF to be using its numbers in Parliament to push a partisan agenda on such important matters.
Mnangagwa must resist the urge to abuse his position in order to benefit himself and his family.
It is also high time that the opposition reorganises itself to challenge this clear abuse of power and defend the people’s constitution.
Such a fight will not be easy as was proven in 2021 when Zanu PF forced the adoption of Amendment No. 2, but it is a necessary battle to protect the little of what is left of Zimbabwe’s democracy.
