Madhuku calls for “massive protests” against constitutional amendments

HARARE – Opposition National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) leader and constitutional law expert Lovemore Madhuku has vowed to mobilise Zimbabweans into “massive protests” against the proposed Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Bill, 2026.

Madhuku declared that his party will actively organise citizens to express anger and take to the streets in opposition to the sweeping constitutional changes.

Speaking in an interview on the Citizens Voice Network last week, Madhuku said the NCA would pursue both political and physical action in response to the Bill, which seeks to introduce wide-ranging constitutional changes, including altering the method of electing the President and extending terms of office.

“We will have to come out as NCA to condemn this and then we will have to support that coming out with physical acts,” Madhuku said. He added that the party would hold meetings around the country to mobilise citizens and encourage them to oppose the proposals.

He said mobilisation efforts would focus on urging Zimbabweans to voice their anger over the amendments, and that street protests were among the options being considered.

“So, physical acts would require us to make noise, speak out and to have meetings around the country and try to mobilise people to just be angry against that. What they do with that anger, we just leave it to them,” he stated.

“Where we’re required, we will have street protests. We will go back to the NCA of 2000, 2003 and 2007,” he said, referring to past demonstrations organised by the NCA when it was still a civic group.

Madhuku said he was prepared to lead party members and join other groups in protest action.

“You should expect to see me again in the streets. I’m able to do that and I will lead members of my party and I will join others who will be doing that,” he said.

His remarks come amid growing debate over the Amendment Bill approved by Cabinet last week.

The proposed changes include repealing Section 92 of the Constitution, which currently provides for the direct election of the President by voters, and replacing it with a system in which the President is elected by Members of Parliament sitting jointly.

The Bill also proposes extending the term of office for the President, Vice Presidents and Parliament from five years to seven years, with provisions stating that the changes would apply to the continuation in office of the incumbent.

Government says the amendments are intended to strengthen governance, enhance stability and improve institutional efficiency.

However, critics argue that the proposals would fundamentally alter Zimbabwe’s constitutional framework and undermine term-limit safeguards introduced under the 2013 Constitution.

Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart has also criticised the proposed changes, arguing that amendments benefiting incumbents would require a referendum under Sections 382(7) and 328(9) of the Constitution.

“The central constitutional issue therefore is not so much whether a President is directly elected or elected by Parliament, but whether these sections can be amended without a referendum,” Coltart stated.

“It is clear that the cabal seeking to extend both their own terms as Parliamentarians, and that of the President, are desperate to avoid a referendum- and that is the fundamental constitutional issue at play.

“No matter what semantic gymnastics are employed, a referendum is mandatory.”

The Bill is expected to be tabled before Parliament, where it will undergo debate and possible public consultation as part of the legislative process.