Zimbabwe Crisis: Constitution Under Threat?

HARARE — An attack on Zimbabwean opposition leader Professor Lovemore Madhuku and members of his party has raised concerns about a potential constitutional crisis, according to Madhuku himself.

Opposition Leader Alleges Breakdown of Constitutional Order

Madhuku, a constitutionalist, claims the military and police are now operating in service of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, mirroring the situation under former President Robert Mugabe. The attack occurred while Madhuku and 17 other members of his National Constitutional Assembly were meeting on private property.

The group was discussing strategies to oppose a bill in parliament that would extend Mnangagwa’s rule. During the meeting, unidentified men reportedly stormed the premises and assaulted those present. Madhuku believes the assailants were state security agents.

“Its a breakdown of constitutional order in the country. And that breakdown of constitutional order in the country is being engineered by the ruling party. The breakdown comes in the sense that there are no state institutions that can function anymore. The police is not functioning like a police force for the state. The army is not functioning like an army for the state. These are all institutions that have become institutions of a party. Once you become an institution of a party, you have become institution of a person because Zanu PF is nothing but an institution held by whoever is the leader at the time. Remember during the time former President Robert Mugabe it was one center of power,” Madhuku said.

Mnangagwa’s current two terms are set to end in 2028, but the proposed bill would extend his rule by two years, to 2030.

Zanu PF Denies Allegations

Farai Mrapira, Zanu PF’s Director of Information, dismissed Madhuku’s claims as “grandstanding” and “fake news.” Mrapira asserted that Mnangagwa is widely supported and that the opposition is attempting to create false narratives to oppose the extension of his rule.

“People need to understand that Zanu PF is the only game in town and for anyone else to have relevance they have to be talking to or about Zanu PF and this is essential what these dead weights are trying to do .There are trying to find political relevance attaching their names to Zanu PF,” Mrapira stated.