Zimbabwe’s cabinet has approved draft legislation that could allow President Emmerson Mnangagwa, aged 83, to continue serving in office.
The proposal introduces major constitutional changes to presidential elections and term lengths across the country.
Cabinet ministers endorsed the draft bill and cleared it for the next stage of the legislative process.
Lawmakers will review the proposal after authorities complete nationwide public consultation meetings.
The draft law proposes that members of parliament choose future presidents instead of citizens voting directly. The proposal also replaces five-year presidential terms with longer terms for each cycle.
Under the new structure, a president could serve a maximum of two seven-year terms in office.
That framework would create a potential fourteen-year tenure under the revised constitutional arrangement.
Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi confirmed the approval and outlined the next procedural steps for the bill.
He said consultation forums will collect citizen views before parliament begins formal debate.
Both parliamentary chambers currently have strong majorities from the ruling Zanu-PF party.
That dominance increases the likelihood that legislators will pass the bill if party discipline holds.
Legal experts have already signaled plans to challenge the proposed constitutional amendments in court.
They argue that any change to presidential term limits requires a national referendum.
Constitutional scholars also argue that amendments cannot legally benefit a sitting president under current rules.
They say any valid change must apply only to future office holders, not the incumbent leader.
Mnangagwa first entered power in 2017 after military intervention removed long-time leader Robert Mugabe.
Security chiefs supported the transition and backed Mnangagwa after internal party conflicts escalated.
He won the presidency in the 2018 election following Mugabe’s removal from office.
He later secured a second term in the 2023 presidential election amid disputes from opposition groups.
Opposition parties and several observer missions questioned the credibility of the 2023 election outcome.
They cited irregularities, uneven campaign conditions, and administrative weaknesses during the voting process.
Mnangagwa carries the nickname “the crocodile” because allies credit his strategic and patient political style.
Critics use the same label to describe his toughness and long survival inside power structures.
His current and final five-year constitutional term will end in 2028 under existing rules.
The proposed legal changes would shift that timeline and extend his possible stay to 2030 or beyond.
Zimbabwe adopted its current constitution thirteen years ago through a national referendum.
Voters strongly supported that charter and introduced firm presidential term limits at that time.
Robert Mugabe still held power when citizens approved the new constitutional framework.
He had governed Zimbabwe continuously since independence in 1980 before his eventual removal.
Term limits aimed to prevent indefinite rule and reduce the risk of lifetime presidencies.
Supporters of the 2013 constitution viewed limits as protection against entrenched executive control.
Political signals about a possible Mnangagwa extension started emerging roughly two years ago.
Zanu-PF supporters began promoting continuity slogans during major party rallies across provinces.
Supporters frequently chanted “2030 he will still be the leader” at organized party gatherings.
They argued that Mnangagwa needed more time to complete his Agenda 2030 development programme.
Agenda 2030 outlines economic growth targets, infrastructure expansion, and governance reform goals.
Party loyalists link programme success directly to Mnangagwa’s continued leadership.
Mnangagwa publicly rejected extension calls when journalists questioned him about the slogans.
He stated at the time that he intended to respect constitutional term limits.
Internal divisions within Zanu-PF have continued despite public displays of unity.
Some senior party figures have criticized any attempt to prolong the president’s tenure.
Blessed Geza, also known as Bombshell, emerged as one of Mnangagwa’s most vocal internal critics.
Geza served as a liberation war veteran and held a seat on Zanu-PF’s central committee.
Last year, Geza launched a direct and public attack on Mnangagwa’s extension ambitions.
He accused the president of nepotism and power consolidation beyond constitutional limits.
Geza said he regretted supporting Mnangagwa’s rise to power after the Mugabe era ended.
He urged party members to oppose any attempt to stretch presidential authority past 2028.
Zanu-PF expelled Geza from the party on grounds of disloyalty and indiscipline.
Party leaders then pushed him out of official structures and influence channels.
He went into hiding afterward but kept communicating through social media platforms.
He posted frequent videos and messages calling for protests and political resistance.
Shortly before his death, Geza published a message urging citizens to continue the struggle.
He called for organized pressure to remove Mnangagwa and stop what he described as national plunder.
Geza was in South Africa when his family announced his death last week.
News of his death triggered strong reactions from veteran groups and political activists.
Andrease Ethan Mathibela, chairman of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association, praised Geza’s stance.
He said Geza chose to speak against corruption and nepotism when silence offered personal safety.
War veteran networks still influence political legitimacy inside Zimbabwe’s ruling party circles.
Their endorsements or criticisms often shape internal party debates and leadership contests.
The government continues pushing its 2030 political and development roadmap despite the controversy.
Officials say the draft law seeks to strengthen governance structures and deliver long-term stability.
Government spokespersons argue that indirect presidential selection could reduce election-related conflict and costs.
They claim longer terms would allow leaders to implement policies without constant campaign disruption.
Critics reject that reasoning and warn about democratic backsliding under the proposed system.
They argue that removing direct presidential votes weakens citizen control over executive power.
Civil society groups are preparing mobilization campaigns ahead of the consultation phase.
They plan to challenge the proposal through legal action, public advocacy, and civic education drives.
The coming consultation period will test public reaction to the proposed constitutional shift.
Parliamentary debate will likely intensify political tensions as the bill moves forward.
