A group of retired military officers and former senior civil servants has launched a blistering attack on the proposed Constitution Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3), accusing President Emmerson Mnangagwa and businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei of driving a process they claim is designed to serve narrow political interests rather than the national good.
In a strongly worded statement signed by retired Air Marshal Henry Muchena, the group warned President Mnangagwa, parliamentarians and influential business figures backing the constitutional amendments that they risk finding themselves on the wrong side of history.
The retired officials said they remain opposed to what they described as attempts to “mutilate” the Constitution through CAB3 and revealed that recent engagements with Mnangagwa on May 18 and 19 had failed to address their concerns.
According to the statement, the former military and civil service officials had previously petitioned Parliament in March, arguing that the public consultation process surrounding CAB3 was fundamentally flawed and did not reflect the genuine views of Zimbabweans.
They insist that constitutional changes of such magnitude should be subjected to a national referendum rather than being pushed through Parliament.
The group claimed that during their meetings with Mnangagwa, the President dismissed submissions challenging the legality and constitutionality of the amendment process.
They alleged that when confronted with concerns over the proposed changes, Mnangagwa responded that “whoever wins, wins,” which they interpreted as evidence that he is the chief architect and principal beneficiary of the proposed amendments.
The retired officials said the meetings left them convinced that the President is personally driving the constitutional changes and disregarding concerns raised by those opposed to the bill.
Retired Air Marshal Henry Muchena interview in April 2026
They further alleged that tenderprenuer Tagwirei is playing a significant role in supporting the amendment process and claimed that parliamentary consultations and the legislative debate surrounding CAB3 are being orchestrated to secure a predetermined outcome.
Among the most serious allegations contained in the statement were claims that large sums of money were being deployed to secure political support for the amendments.
The retired officials alleged that a US$31 million fund had been assembled to influence the constitutional process and claimed that Members of Parliament had been promised US$50,000 each in exchange for supporting the amendments.
They also alleged that provincial party chairpersons had been rewarded with Toyota Land Cruiser 300 vehicles and cash payments of US$100,000 each.
No evidence was provided to substantiate the allegations, and neither Mnangagwa, Tagwirei nor those accused of receiving inducements had publicly responded at the time of publication.
The group also expressed concern over ongoing Constitutional Court challenges against CAB3, arguing that the judiciary now represents one of the final safeguards for Zimbabwe’s constitutional order.
They urged judges to determine the matter independently and without political interference.
In one of their strongest criticisms, the retired officials accused Parliament of being captured by political and financial interests linked to supporters of the amendment bill.
They called on Zimbabweans to hold lawmakers accountable for their positions on CAB3 and warned MPs against supporting measures that could alter presidential succession arrangements or extend terms of office without direct public approval.
The former officials concluded by reaffirming their commitment to what they described as the values of the liberation struggle and pledged to continue pursuing legal, constitutional and civic avenues to oppose the bill.
CAB3 has emerged as one of the most contentious political issues in Zimbabwe, drawing criticism from opposition parties, church organisations, civil society groups and some former ruling party figures who argue that the proposed amendments could weaken constitutional safeguards and democratic accountability.
Supporters of the bill, however, maintain that the proposed changes are necessary reforms intended to improve governance and address constitutional anomalies.
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