President Emmerson Mnangagwa has moved a step closer to remaining in office until 2030 after the Senate overwhelmingly approved Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3), completing the legislation’s passage through Parliament.
The controversial Bill was approved on Wednesday after 75 senators voted in favour, four voted against and one abstained, comfortably exceeding the two-thirds majority of 54 votes required in the Upper House.
The legislation will now be sent to President Mnangagwa for his assent before becoming law.
Although Zanu PF holds 33 elected Senate seats, it did not have the numbers on its own to pass the constitutional amendment.
The ruling party relied on the support of 18 traditional chiefs, two senators representing persons with disabilities and opposition senators aligned to self-styled CCC secretary-general Sengezo Tshabangu to secure the required majority.
Without the backing of Tshabangu’s allies, the Bill would not have secured the necessary votes.
Tshabangu rose to prominence after the 2023 general election when, with the backing of court rulings, he assumed control of key structures within the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC).
He subsequently recalled more than 20 CCC Members of Parliament, triggering a series of by-elections that handed additional parliamentary seats to Zanu PF.
Tshabangu also exercised control over proportional representation vacancies, including appointments to the Senate, allowing him to install loyalists in Parliament.
Only four opposition senators opposed the legislation.
They were Sesel Zvidzai of Midlands Province, together with Solani Moyo, Meliwe Phuthi and Nonhlanhla Mlotshwa, all representing Matabeleland South.
Tuesday’s Second Reading debate had already exposed divisions within the opposition benches.
While Solani Moyo rejected the Bill outright, senators Linda Sibanda, Kudakwashe Matibiri and Tapfumanei Muzoda indicated varying degrees of support while raising reservations about specific provisions.
Among its most controversial provisions, CAB3 extends presidential terms from five years to seven years and changes the method of electing future presidents from direct election by voters to election by Parliament.
Supporters argue the amendments will strengthen governance, improve accountability and provide greater political stability.
Critics, however, contend that the legislation is designed primarily to prolong Mnangagwa’s hold on power and weakens democratic safeguards contained in the Constitution.
Signs that Mnangagwa intended to remain in office beyond the end of his second term first emerged around two years ago when supporters at Zanu PF rallies began chanting slogans calling for him to stay in office until 2030.
The ruling party formally adopted the proposal last year before Cabinet endorsed the constitutional changes earlier this year.
Mnangagwa, now 83, assumed office following the military-assisted removal of former president Robert Mugabe in November 2017.
With Parliament having now approved CAB3, the legislation awaits only presidential assent before becoming law, marking one of the most significant constitutional changes since Zimbabwe adopted its 2013 Constitution.
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