Ibhetshu LikaZulu withdraws ConCourt challenge, cites “unrelenting” attacks

Civic organisation Ibhetshu LikaZulu has withdrawn its Constitutional Court challenge against the government’s proposed Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill, which is linked to the controversial 2030 agenda seeking to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s tenure.

In a statement, the organisation’s secretary-general Mbuso Fuzwayo said the decision to withdraw the case was taken with immediate effect following consultations with stakeholders after what he described as “unrelenting” attacks and a sustained smear campaign against the group and its leadership.

He, however, stressed that withdrawing the court application does not mean the group has abandoned its opposition to the proposed constitutional changes.

“We continue the fight by other means together with other constitution defenders who have made a stand against, among other things, the extension of President Mnangagwa’s term beyond 2028,” Fuzwayo said.

He added that the organisation supports other legal efforts challenging the proposed amendments, including those led by constitutional lawyer Lovemore Madhuku.

The decision comes days after Advocate Method Ndlovu, who had been representing Fuzwayo and Ibhetshu LikaZulu in the matter, withdrew as legal counsel citing a breakdown in trust and what he described as “significant reputational risk”.

In a letter dated March 5, Ndlovu said disagreements had arisen regarding his engagement and payment, while also accusing former cabinet minister Jonathan Moyo, whom he described as the principal architect of the litigation, of making unfounded allegations against him.

Ndlovu said the attacks against him appeared “choreographed” and argued that the applicants’ later position regarding his payment was inconsistent with earlier assurances.

The dispute drew attention to Moyo’s alleged central role in initiating the litigation and his involvement in drafting the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill, which proposes extending presidential and parliamentary terms and introducing changes to electoral procedures.

The case emerged after the Constitutional Court of Zimbabwe granted direct access to the applicants last month, allowing them to challenge a Zanu-PF resolution adopted at its 2024 national conference calling for the extension of the president’s tenure beyond the current constitutional limit of two terms.

The proposed amendment seeks to introduce several changes, including extending presidential and parliamentary terms to seven years and giving the sole responsibility of electing the President to the Parliament.

Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi and other government officials have defended the proposals, saying they are aimed at enhancing political stability and ensuring policy continuity.

Critics, however, argue that the amendments could undermine democratic principles. Madhuku and other constitutional scholars have warned that the changes risk amounting to what they describe as a “constitutional coup”.

Despite withdrawing the case, Fuzwayo said the organisation remains committed to defending constitutionalism and the rule of law.

“Nothing and absolutely nothing can change our set goals and the fight for justice and respect for human rights in Zimbabwe,” he said.