Harare, Zimbabwe – Tendai Biti, a prominent constitutional lawyer and former Finance Minister in the inclusive Government of National Unity (GNU), has launched a scathing critique against the ruling ZANU-PF party. Biti asserts that ZANU-PF has fundamentally betrayed the core values of the liberation struggle by allowing political influence to be openly commodified and traded.
Biti expressed profound sorrow over what he perceives as the widespread moral decay and the “commodification of politics” within the ruling party. He warned that the enduring legacy of Zimbabwe’s liberation war heroes is being disgracefully trampled upon by corrupt elites.
“I feel pity for ZANU-PF. ZANU-PF is being reduced to a commodity that can be bought by a few trinkets, a few motor vehicles, a few GD6s. What kind of a country have we become? Herbert Chitepo is turning in his grave, Joshua Nkomo is turning in his grave, Dumiso Dabengwa is turning in his grave. The thousands who died in Chimoio and Nyadzonia are turning in their graves,” Biti lamented.
He passionately argued that the very essence of the party, and indeed the nation, is under siege from individuals ruthlessly seeking power at any cost. These individuals, he claimed, are allegedly leveraging ill-gotten wealth to manipulate critical institutions and unduly influence constitutional reform.
“The country and their political party are now open to the highest bidder. It is sad. It is a shame. Shame on ZANU-PF. Shame on everyone in ZANU-PF who allows themselves to be reduced to a commodity with use value and exchange value,” Biti charged emphatically.
Furthermore, Biti fiercely criticized ongoing efforts to amend the Constitution to remove presidential term limits. This initiative is widely believed to be a strategic move aimed at extending President Mnangagwa’s tenure in power beyond 2028.
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“You cannot amend the Constitution to remove term limits without two referendums. Fortunately, most people in ZANU-PF are opposed to this amendment. Fortunately, 99% of Zimbabweans are opposed to this amendment. We will fight this. We will defend the Constitution,” affirmed the constitutional lawyer, specifically citing Section 328 of the Constitution.
Biti’s strong remarks emerge amidst escalating factional tensions and renewed debates surrounding the sensitive issue of succession within ZANU-PF.
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