THEY WANT TO STRETCH POWER TO 2030 AND WE MUST NOT BE SILENT

I write this as a citizen and as an activist who refuses to be quiet while our democracy is slowly cut into pieces. Zimbabwe is once again facing a dangerous moment. A draft Constitutional Amendment Bill Number 3 is expected to be gazetted very soon, possibly before Christmas. This move is not innocent. It is part of a plan to push President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s rule beyond 2028 to 2030, despite clear limits in the constitution.

According to information coming from inside government, the bill has already been drafted by experts working under the Attorney General and the Minister of Justice. It has passed technical stages and is now waiting for cabinet approval. Once cabinet agrees, it will be sent to parliament and published in the Government Gazette. That publication is not a small step. It starts a legal process that can change the future of the country.

The law is very clear on how this process works. For a constitutional amendment, the exact text must be published at least ninety days before it is introduced in parliament. This is meant to give citizens time to read, debate, and speak. After that, the bill goes through the National Assembly and the Senate. If two thirds of both houses support it, it is sent to the president to sign. Once signed and gazetted again, it becomes law.

What is worrying is not only the process, but the intention behind it. The aim is to extend the stay in power of one person. Zimbabwe’s constitution was written to stop exactly this. It was designed to prevent leaders from changing rules to suit themselves. It put limits on how long a president can serve.

The constitution says a president can only serve two terms. A term is five years. It also clearly says that changes to term limits cannot benefit the current president. Even more important, if an amendment helps the sitting president, a national referendum is required. This means the people must vote on it.

Now the ruling party claims this bill does not touch term limits. They argue it only changes the length or duration of the presidency. This argument insults the intelligence of Zimbabweans. Changing the length of time someone stays in office is the same as changing term limits. It is playing with words to hide a power grab.

This issue is not about one man only. It is about the rule of law. It is about whether the constitution still means anything. If leaders can bend it whenever it blocks their ambitions, then it is no longer a shield for the people.

Many Zimbabweans are tired, hungry, and scared. Some may feel this debate does not affect their daily lives. But it does. When leaders break rules at the top, everything below breaks too. Corruption grows. Abuse grows. Hope dies.

We must speak now. We must demand respect for the constitution. Any amendment that extends presidential power must go to a referendum. Let the people decide. Silence today will cost us tomorrow, and history will judge those who looked away.

This moment calls for courage from churches, unions, students, workers, and the diaspora. It calls for pressure, not politeness. Power never gives itself limits willingly. It must be forced by citizens who understand that democracy is defended by action, not fear, and that the future belongs to those who stand up before it is too late. Now is the time to resist together.