Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa faces opposition from retired army generals, war veterans, and senior civil servants who are challenging a proposed constitutional amendment that would grant parliament the power to choose the President.
Opposition to Presidential Amendment Bill
The group, led by retired Air Marshall Henry Muchena, argues the amendment undermines the principle of majority rule established during the liberation war. They have written to the Speaker of Parliament to voice their concerns.
Ethan Mathibela, a War Veterans Leader, stated, “As the workers being employed by the very people who created the constitution and then we come around and said we want to change it. We are telling the people that have employed us that we are changing the constitution it is not right. My conscience would not even allow that. That is the reason why the retired generals, senior civil servants are coming up to join the condemnations of the amendment.”
Political analyst Blessing Vava warned that proceeding with the amendment could destabilize Zimbabwe and the region. He stated, “The sooner that Zanu PF and president Mnangagwa abandons these amendments the better for the country. We have also witnessed the current violence that is happening in the country. I fear that as we are going for the public consultations, I fear that there is going to be more violence and Zimbabweans are not going to participate freely and this has a potential of distabilising the country because these amendments are clearly unpopular.”
Zimbabweans have 90 days to provide comment on the bill before it is considered by the two houses of Parliament.
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