Mbeki slams term extensions

FORMER South African president Thabo Mbeki has warned African leaders against manipulating constitutions to extend presidential term limits, saying it undermines democratic governance and regional stability.

His remarks come as Zimbabwe’s Constitutional Amendment No 3 Bill (CAB 3) continues to spark debate over proposed changes that seek to extend presidential and parliamentary terms from five to seven years and shift presidential elections from a direct vote to a parliamentary system.

If passed, the changes could extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s stay in office beyond 2028.

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