In a move that consolidates executive authority, Zimbabwe’s parliament has passed a controversial bill eliminating term limits, allowing the president to remain in office indefinitely. The legislation, which amends the constitution, effectively dismantles a key check on presidential power established in 2013.
The bill’s passage was met with swift condemnation from opposition parties and civil society groups, who argue it undermines democratic governance. “This is a coup against the constitution,” said Tendai Biti, a prominent opposition figure. “It removes the last safeguard against authoritarian rule.”
The ruling party, ZANU-PF, counters that the amendment responds to the will of the people and ensures stability. However, analysts point to a pattern of creeping autocracy. “The mechanism for removing a president has been systematically eroded,” said Dr. Tafadzwa Chikwanha, a political scientist at the University of Zimbabwe. “This bill completes that process.”
The legislation did not require a referendum, as it passed with a two-thirds majority in both houses. Critics argue this bypasses popular consent. “The constitution was meant to be a contract between the state and its citizens,” wrote constitutional lawyer Lovemore Madhuku in a recent analysis. “This amendment tears up that contract.”
Internationally, the bill has drawn sharp rebuke. The United Kingdom described it as a “sad day for democracy,” while the United States warned of potential sanctions. The African Union has remained silent, a stance that some see as tacit endorsement.
Economically, the move could have repercussions. Zimbabwe is already grappling with hyperinflation, unemployment above 80%, and a crumbling healthcare system. The International Monetary Fund has signalled that further governance deterioration could jeopardise aid. “Investors seek predictability,” said Sarah Matsika, an economist at the Harare Institute of Technology. “Extending presidential power indefinitely introduces more uncertainty, not less.”
The bill now awaits presidential assent, which is considered a formality. Once signed, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who succeeded Robert Mugabe in 2017 after a coup, could potentially rule for life.
For many Zimbabweans, this feels like a return to the Mugabe era. “We voted for change in 2017,” said a street vendor in Harare who asked not to be named. “But the more things change, the more they remain the same.”
The bill’s passage comes amid a broader crisis of legitimacy for the government. Last year’s elections were marred by allegations of rigging, and the security forces have been accused of suppressing dissent. The constitutional amendment appears to be the final nail in the coffin for Zimbabwe’s democratic aspirations.
As the news breaks, protests are expected across the country. But with the security forces historically brutal in their response, activists are weighing the risks. “We are tired,” said one opposition organiser. “But we will not give up. This is our home.”
The international community now faces a choice: impose meaningful consequences or accept the slow death of democracy in southern Africa. For Zimbabwe, the message from parliament is clear: the president’s grip on power is no longer limited by time.
