President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s move to extend his own term by two years without seeking the consent of voters is fuelling fears of unrest in Zimbabwe with a growing number of groups now openly calling for protests despite the government’s intolerance for dissent.
Mnangagwa signed into law Constitutional Amendment Number 3 Bill (CAB3), which proposes far-reaching changes to the country’s charter, including scrapping direct presidential elections.
Under the new law, a president will now be voted by Members of Parliament (MPs) in the National Assembly where Zanu PF enjoys a two-thirds majority.
The CAB3 met widespread resistance before and during the Parliament-led public hearings, with opposition critics being subjected to violence by suspected Zanu PF supporters.
Retired army generals and war veterans have issued several warnings against CAB3, pleading with Mnangagwa to allow a referendum or risk plunging the country into chaos.
After he signed the bill into law, some unknown persons have organised a July 31 national shutdown with observers warning of civil unrest if there is no urgent de-escalation through dialogue.
South African activist, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, who has been leading anti-foreign immigrants marches in her home country yesterday called on her followers to participate in the protest in solidarity with Zimbabweans.
“How about July 31, we march here in solidarity with Zimbabwe? So, they don’t get beaten up for expressing themselves,” she posted on her social media handle.
Analyst Vivid Gwede said political temperatures were unmistakably high well before the CAB3 hearings started.
“As the CAB3 public hearings showed, the constitutional changes affect national cohesion. That there was no referendum when many were calling for it,” Gwede told The Standard.
Defend the Constitution Platform (DCP) convener, Jameson Timba, said Mnangagwa still has an opportunity to de-escalate the current impasse when he responds to various court applications against the new law.
“Public authorities have a responsibility to uphold the rule of law and protect constitutional rights, while citizens have a responsibility to exercise any rights they may choose to exercise peacefully and lawfully,” Timba added.
“Ultimately, Zimbabwe's institutions are best served when constitutional questions are addressed through lawful processes, respect for the constitution and continued commitment to peace.”
Co-conveners of the National Dialogue Forum Ibbo Mandaza and Kaka Mudambo said the only way to solve the current crisis was dialogue.
“Zimbabwe is in desperate need of a thoroughgoing reset,” they said in a joint statement
“This is the only way in which Zimbabwe can achieve a soft landing and avoid the chaos and possible violence that CAB3 will undoubtedly unleash.”
Political analyst Reason Wafawarovza said recent statements by retired army generals showed that the changes to the constitution did not enjoy popular support among securocrats.
“The retired officers' intervention adds another dimension to an already contested debate by introducing voices from former senior members of Zimbabwe's security and civil service establishments groups not traditionally associated with coordinated public opposition to constitutional amendments,” Wafawarova said.
“Although retired officials no longer exercise formal state authority, statements from former senior military leaders often attract heightened public interest because of Zimbabwe's political history and the military's longstanding influence in national affairs.”
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, the biggest coalition of civil society organisations in the country, urged those opposed to the constitutional provisions “to continue engaging peacefully, constructively and within the framework of the constitution.”
The forum said this was important in safeguarding Zimbabwe's democratic and constitutional order.
It condemned the enactment of the amendments without a referendum as prescribed in the constitution.
“The constitution belongs to the people of Zimbabwe,” the forum said. “Any alteration of its foundational principles should be undertaken transparently, lawfully and in a manner that fully respects constitutional supremacy and popular sovereignty.”
Mnangagwa, who turns 84 this year, had previously vowed that he would not accept a term extension because he is a constitutionalist.
The suspension of elections for two years is largely seen as a way of stopping Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga from becoming Zimbabwe’s next leader.