Exiled former cabinet minister Jonathan Moyo has dismissed claims that he was the “principal architect” of a Constitutional Court challenge filed by civic group Ibhetshu LikaZulu, describing the allegations as “pure fiction” and part of an attempt to smear his reputation and extort money from him.
The application had sought to challenge the proposed constitutional amendments linked to the 2030 agenda, a plan to extend the tenure of President Emmerson Mnangagwa beyond the current two-term limit.
Responding to questions from The NewsHawks, Moyo said he had no knowledge of the circumstances surrounding the withdrawal of the case and declined to speculate on the reasons behind the decision by the organisation and its secretary-general Mbuso Fuzwayo.
“I’ve seen the ongoing media frenzy and that unsigned press statement floating around, but let’s be crystal clear: I have zero view on the withdrawal, and I won’t pretend otherwise,” Moyo said.
“I know nothing about their reasons beyond what the headlines are repeating. Without facts, speculation is just noise.”
Moyo also rejected allegations by lawyer Method Ndlovu that he was the “principal architect” behind the litigation.
Ndlovu, who had represented Fuzwayo and Ibhetshu LikaZulu in the matter, withdrew as legal counsel earlier this month, citing a breakdown in trust with his clients and what he described as significant reputational risks.
In a letter dated 5 March, the lawyer claimed Moyo had played a central role in initiating the legal challenge.
However, Moyo denied any involvement, saying he had not communicated with Fuzwayo or the organisation regarding the case.
“They didn’t inform me because they had no reason to, and neither did I,” Moyo said.
“I have not spoken a single word to Mbuso Fuzwayo or Ibhetshu LikaZulu about anything, let alone this case, for several years.”
He also said he had never engaged Ndlovu regarding legal representation, payments or the litigation itself, describing the allegations against him as “false” and “fabricated”.
“The entire story is pure fiction, cooked up by Ndlovu and his unprofessional handlers, some of them lawyers, in a desperate attempt to smear and extort money,” Moyo stated.
The dispute follows Ibhetshu LikaZulu’s announcement that it had withdrawn its Constitutional Court challenge against the government’s proposed Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill.
In a statement on Monday, Fuzwayo said the decision was taken after consultations with stakeholders and amid what he described as sustained attacks aimed at damaging the reputation of the organisation and its leadership.
Despite withdrawing the application, the group said it remained opposed to the proposed constitutional amendments and would continue advocating against them through other avenues.
Fuzwayo added that the organisation supports other ongoing legal challenges to the amendments, including those led by constitutional lawyer Lovemore Madhuku.
The proposed constitutional changes are linked to a resolution adopted by the ruling party at its 2024 national conference, which called for extending Mnangagwa’s tenure beyond the current constitutional limit.
The amendment proposals include extending presidential and parliamentary terms from five to seven years and changing the process for electing the president.
Critics have constantly argued the changes could weaken democratic governance, with some legal experts warning the amendments risk undermining constitutional safeguards.
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