Parliament is facing potential legal action over a plan to conduct a truncated series of public hearings on a controversial constitutional amendment that critics say is designed to consolidate the power of President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the ruling Zanu PF party.
The proposed Constitution Amendment Bill No. 3 seeks to introduce sweeping changes to the Zimbabwe’s governance, most notably the scrapping of direct presidential elections.
Under the proposal, the power to appoint the president would shift to Parliament, where Zanu PF currently commands a decisive two-thirds majority, effectively ensuring the party’s long-term control over the executive branch.
The bill is widely viewed by analysts and opposition figures as a maneuver to benefit Mnangagwa, who is approaching the end of his current term.
A key provision of the bill seeks to extend presidential and parliamentary terms by an additional two years, pushing the next transition from 2028 to 2030.
Despite the magnitude of these changes, the government and Zanu PF have insisted that a public referendum is not necessary, a stance that has reignited political tensions in a country with a long history of political violence.
Observers have linked the amendments to intensifying succession battles within Zanu PF, noting that Mnangagwa has yet to name a successor—a situation drawing sharp parallels to the final years of the late Robert Mugabe. Mugabe was ousted in 2017 following efforts by his own allies to secure a life presidency.
Critics and legal experts have labelled the legislative push a "procedural coup" that intentionally excludes millions of Zimbabweans from the democratic process.
To facilitate the bill’s passage, parliament has scheduled just 64 public hearings over a four-day period between March 30 and April 2.
This averages fewer than seven meetings per province.
"This is plainly insufficient for a constitutional amendment of such magnitude," said Jameson Timba, convener of the Defend the Constitution Platform.
"Zimbabwe has 210 electoral constituencies, and the reasonable expectation... would have been at least one hearing per constituency so that citizens across the country can directly express their views on changes to the supreme law".
Legal expert Douglas Coltart described the limited schedule as potentially illegal and open to a court challenge.
He pointed out that Harare, a city of over two million people, has been allocated only two days of hearings, while Bulawayo has been granted just one.
"To have one meeting for two million people is crazy," Coltart said.
"The constitution makes it clear that parliament must not only have public consultations but must provide facilities for people to participate in them".
The current push for rapid constitutional change stands in stark contrast to the birth of Zimbabwe’s 2013 Constitution.
The drafting of that charter involved a massive national outreach led by the Constitution Select Committee (Copac), which conducted 4 821 public meetings across 1 950 wards over a period of 105 days.
Constitutional expert Lovemore Madhuku called the new, condensed schedule "completely unbelievable" and a "meaningless exercise".
He argued that based on the country's ward population, there should be no fewer than 2 000 public meetings to satisfy constitutional requirements.
"In the ideal sense, it [parliament] must organise meetings at the village level or at the unit level," Madhuku said. "They have designed their programme in a way that will ensure that they will not get the real views of the people".
The attempt to favour Zanu PF's legislative agenda is unfolding within a restrictive political environment.
While parliament moves forward with its limited hearings, police have repeatedly banned independent public meetings organised by civic groups and citizens attempting to discuss the implications of the bill.
Beyond the presidential term extensions, the bill also seeks to abolish the Zimbabwe Gender Commission, a move that has further alarmed human rights advocates.
Timba argued that the bill is "not an ordinary piece of legislation" because it fundamentally alters the "structure of governance and the renewal of political authority in Zimbabwe".
Without broad, inclusive, and accessible consultations, critics warn the bill will lack the legitimacy required for the nation's supreme law.
"It could be challenged in the courts, but I think it primarily needs to be challenged by ordinary citizens," Coltart added.
The constitutional charges don’t enjoy popular support even within Zanu PF with a faction linked to Vice President Constantino Chiwenga said to be against Mnangagwa’s term extension.
In submissions to parliament last week, some war veterans and former army generals warned that the proposed amendments could betray the very ideals Zimbabweans fought for during the liberation struggle.
Meanwhile, MDC-T leader Douglas Mwonzora yesterday said women from his party, who were attending International Women’s Day commemorations in Bulawayo were attacked by ‘’thugs.’
Mwonzora said the alleged attack was linked to his party’s opposition to the proposed amendments to the constitution.
Some hired thugs are currently attacking the MDC women assembly meeting at the provincial offices in Bulawayo,”he posted on X.
“The women are commemorating the International women's day. The attackers made it clear that they are against the party stance on Amendment 3.
“The police are standing and watching while thugs are pelting members of the MDC women's assembly with stones at a meeting in Bulawayo.
“The MDC Women's Assemby are commemorating the International Women's Day. This is retribution for our stance on 2030 agenda.”