Harare – Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa has signed into law a controversial bill that will extend his rule from 2028 to 2030.
Mnangagwa pushed for his extension of his term of office from 2028 when the country was expecting to hold elections.
The new laws will include changes to the constitution that will result in parliament electing the president than the previous law where the president was election through a general election.
Critics of the new laws include opposition parties, retired army generals and ordinary people who viewed the amendment of the constitution as unlawful.
They said Zimbabwe was supposed to go to a referendum to choose whether they wanted to change the constitution especially on how the president is elected.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) said: “The EFF believes that the people of Zimbabwe cannot be held hostage indefinitely by a governing party. True revolutionaries understand that political power belongs to the people and that leadership is exercised on their behalf, not over them. Any government that fears returning to the people for a fresh democratic mandate is one that is certain it has lost the will of the people and should face the consequences or commit to better leadership.”
Professor Lovemore Madhuku said: “ED’s signing into law of CAB 3 was always going happen. It must be said again and again that that signature is NOTHING and that the people of Zimbabwe will never allow CAB 3 to have effect. It is now war in TWO battlegrounds: courts and peaceful political resistance.We will win.”
Mmusi Maimane of South Africa said: “I condemn unequivocally the decision taken by Emerson. As South Africa we cannot sit back and watch the eroding of democracy and constitutionalism in Zim.”
Mnangagwa took power in a military coup in 2017 when long ruling Robert Mugabe was removed from power.
He vowed not to serve beyond 10 years but his love for power and people surrounding him made him extend his rule.
He was expected to end his second five year term in 2028 but with the new law, Mnangagwa will rule until 2030.
Supporters of vice president Constantino Chiwenga who expected the former army General to take power in 2028 are against Mnangagwa’s term extension.
Mnangagwa critics accuse his government of high level corruption, however critics including opposition activists and journalists who raise issues on corruption are arrested and jailed.
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