ZANU PF has intensified its campaign to defend the controversial constitutional amendments, with senior party leaders declaring that President Emmerson Mnangagwa should rule "forever" and warning opponents against planned nationwide protests over the new law.
The remarks, made during ruling party "Thank You" rallies held across the country, underscore Zanu PF's efforts to consolidate support for the constitutional changes as opposition groups, civil society organisations, and activists prepare legal challenges and demonstrations against legislation they say undermines Zimbabwe's constitutional order.
Mnangagwa signed the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Act, 2026, into law earlier this month, effectively postponing elections that had been scheduled for 2028.
The amendment extended the terms of the president, Parliament, and local authorities from five to seven years, applied retroactively to the current administration, and replaced direct public voting for the presidency with an election by a joint sitting of Parliament.Critics have described it as a "constitutional coup" designed to consolidate Mnangagwa's grip on power.
Political analysts said the rallies were aimed at consolidating support for the law and discouraging resistance.
While activists, war veterans, and civil society groups have filed Constitutional Court challenges, protests are planned for July 31 — and several Zanu PF politburo members have vowed the government will crush any demonstrations.
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Zanu PF national spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa told a rally in Mutare that elections were postponed to 2030, partly out of concern that a succession battle could destabilise the party.
“The CAB 3 Bill was signed to silence those who were saying there was no democracy in the country,” he said, likening the transfer of power to a relay race.
“There is danger when passing the baton, because one wants to stop while the other wants to run. Our President realised this... So I am saying, please leave President Emmerson Mnangagwa in his position.”
In Epworth, Harare, businessman and Zanu PF central committee member Kudakwashe Tagwirei said the party wanted Mnangagwa to continue because of his strong performance.
“We believe in one centre of power, and that power rests with President Mnangagwa,” he said. “As a party, we want to continue, continue, and continue his excellent work forever.”
Senior officials also warned against the July 31 protests.
In Chakari, Mashonaland West, Zanu PF secretary for legal affairs Ziyambi Ziyambi said constitutional matters should be addressed through dialogue.
“I urge you to continue upholding law and order and to shun violence from groups that seek to cause disorder,” he said.
At Mbizo Stadium in Kwekwe, secretary for transport and social welfare July Moyo was more pointed."This idea of going into the streets to protest — those are evil spirits. We do not want those spirits... those who go into the streets for violent purposes are being warned by the government not to do so," he said.
Turnout varied by province — only a small crowd attended the Gwanda Club rally in Matabeleland South, and Bulawayo's rally at Stanley Square was similarly low-key.
Zanu PF commissar Munyaradzi Machacha nonetheless thanked Bulawayo province for its support.
“Today's rally is not merely a function, but a testimony to our unity, discipline, participation and, most importantly, our commitment to the future of Zimbabwe,” he said.
Political observers questioned the rallies' rationale, arguing the amendment was not driven by public demand. Gideon Chitanga, a visiting researcher at Germany's Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, called it “an elite-driven process that was imposed and coercively driven through a combination of intimidation, political manoeuvring and the use of money,” describing it as “inherently illegitimate and unlawful.”
He said the rallies functioned as intimidation aimed at discouraging protest participation.
“The message is that the Mnangagwa government is prepared to use force to ensure people do not protest and are compelled to accept the new law,” Chitanga said.
He added that Zimbabwe's underlying succession question remains unresolved.
“The people will not be stopped, because the fundamental questions facing Zimbabwe still need to be resolved,” Chitanga said.
Additional rallies were held in Shamva, Mashonaland Central, and Zaka, Masvingo.