THE campaign to push Constitution Amendment No 3 Bill through Parliament has exposed a troubling reality about Zimbabwe’s politics: the pursuit of power has become more important than the interests of the people.
At a time when millions of Zimbabweans are battling unemployment, poverty, inadequate healthcare, poor public services and a rising cost of living, the political establishment is consumed by a project whose primary purpose appears to be the extension of political power.
Instead of focusing on economic recovery and improving citizens’ lives, national attention has been diverted towards altering constitutional provisions designed to protect democracy and power from being abused.
The Constitution is not meant to be a tool for personal ambition.
It is the supreme law of the land, created to ensure that power is exercised within clear limits and that leadership renewal takes place through democratic processes.
When politicians begin treating constitutional provisions as obstacles to be removed whenever they become inconvenient, the foundations of democracy are weakened.
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The argument that President Emmerson Mnangagwa requires additional time to complete projects raises important questions.
Leadership is not about one individual finishing every project personally.
Strong leaders build institutions, groom successors and create systems that outlive them.
Throughout history, visionary leaders have established foundations upon which future generations continue building.
If nearly a decade in office has not been sufficient to deliver the promised economic transformation, it is difficult to understand why two additional years would suddenly produce dramatically different results.
The more important principle is that leaders must remain accountable to citizens through regular elections rather than constitutional manoeuvres.
The growing reports of pressure, inducements and political arm-twisting surrounding support for Constitution Amendment No 3 Bill are equally concerning.
Members of Parliament are elected to represent the interests of citizens, not to be political patrons.
Their constitutional duty is to exercise independent judgement on matters affecting the nation.
Any legislator, who supports constitutional changes solely because of political pressure, personal benefit or fear of consequences, abdicates his oversight responsibility.
Parliament should be a forum where laws are debated based on their merits and national interest, not a marketplace where loyalty can be purchased through favours, gifts or political rewards.
History repeatedly demonstrates the dangers of concentrating power in the hands of an individual.
English historian Lord Acton famously warned that “power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely”.
His observation remains relevant because unchecked power often creates a belief that leaders are indispensable and entitled to remain in office beyond stipulated limits.
The tragedy for many nations is that leaders who once promised reform often become defenders of the very systems they once criticised.
The longer political power remains concentrated, the greater the temptation to weaken institutions, silence dissent and manipulate laws to secure continued control.
Zimbabwe has experienced this phenomenon before.
The country paid a heavy price when political succession became subordinated to personal rule and when institutions became dependent on individuals rather than constitutional principles.
Repeating those mistakes risks prolonging political instability and undermining public trust.
The future of Zimbabwe cannot depend on an individual.
It must depend on strong institutions, respect for constitutionalism and the willingness of leaders to accept that public office is temporary.
Constitution Amendment No 3 Bill should, therefore, be judged not on who benefits from it today, but on the precedent it sets for tomorrow.
If constitutional safeguards can be altered for political convenience now, future leaders may be tempted to do the same.
Zimbabwe deserves a democracy where power changes hands through constitutional processes, where Parliament acts independently and where no leader is considered greater than the Constitution.