By Fanuel Chinowaita
Mutare, 20 October 2025 – The Constitution Defenders Forum (CDF) has strongly condemned ZANU PF’s resolution to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term of office from 2028 to 2030, describing the move as “reckless, unconstitutional, and a direct attack on the will of the people.”
The resolution was passed at the ruling party’s 22nd Annual National People’s Conference held in Mutare on Saturday, where delegates directed the Secretary for Legal Affairs to begin implementing the extension by next year’s conference.
In a press statement issued soon after the announcement, CDF said the decision was “an assault on the Constitution of Zimbabwe and a dangerous attempt to subvert constitutional order for partisan gain.”
“The law is clear — any attempt to extend the tenure of an incumbent President demands two national referenda, not a political party resolution,” the group said, citing Section 328 (6–9) of the Constitution.
CDF vowed to mobilize citizens both locally and abroad under the banner #NoTo2030, declaring that it would defend the Constitution from what it called political manipulation.
“The people of Zimbabwe must remain vigilant. The Constitution, our social contract and national covenant, cannot and will not be mutilated to serve narrow political interests,” the statement read.
“Zimbabwe belongs to its people, not to political elites. The Constitution is sacred — it is the ‘Zamu raAmai’ — and it shall not be touched.”
The group said it was activating its national and diaspora structures “from Harare to Bulawayo, from Gweru to Mutare, and across the global diaspora” to safeguard democratic governance and the rule of law.
Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa also joined the chorus of criticism, saying the ZANU PF resolution had no authority beyond the party.
“ZPF resolutions bind ZPF and her members, not Zimbabwe and her people,” Chamisa posted on social media, adding the hashtag #WeThePeople.
Meanwhile, ZANU PF defended the resolution as part of a broader agenda to “consolidate the gains of the Second Republic” and ensure continuity in implementing development programmes.
The conference also adopted several other resolutions, including calls to “strengthen and support the ZiG currency to make it the sole legal tender,” “remove the IMTT on transfers,” and “prioritize value addition and beneficiation of minerals.”
Other resolutions directed government to “deploy ideologically grounded cadres in the civil service,” “review the benefits of public servants and pensioners,” and “accelerate the provision of social safety nets.”
Analysts say the proposed term extension could reignite political tensions and test Zimbabwe’s constitutional safeguards as the country heads toward the 2028 election cycle.