Zimbabwe’s Senate has overwhelmingly approved controversial constitutional amendments that could allow President Emmerson Mnangagwa to remain in office until 2030.
The amendments received strong backing in the Senate on Wednesday, with 75 senators voting in favour and four voting against. The approval follows support from the National Assembly on June 18, where 216 lawmakers voted in favour and 42 opposed the bill.
The legislation must return to the National Assembly for final technical adjustments before it is sent to President Mnangagwa for his signature.
The proposed changes have sparked significant debate across Zimbabwe. Critics have described them as a “constitutional coup” and warned that they could further strengthen the ruling ZANU-PF party’s hold on power.
Among the key changes is a proposal to increase presidential and parliamentary terms from five years to seven years. If implemented, the amendment would extend Mnangagwa’s final constitutionally permitted term until 2030.
Another major amendment would transfer the power to select the president to Parliament, effectively ending direct presidential elections that have been in place since 1987.
Supporters of the reforms argue that the changes will promote political stability and allow government development programmes to be completed without interruption.
When the cabinet approved the proposals earlier this year, it said the reforms would “enhance political stability and policy continuity to allow development programmes to be implemented to completion.”
However, opposition parties and civil society groups strongly disagree.
They argue that the amendments undermine democratic principles and reduce citizens’ ability to directly choose their leaders.
Senior opposition figure David Coltart said the changes should be subjected to a national referendum, arguing that they affect fundamental constitutional rights, including the right to vote for public officials.
Opposition groups have pledged to challenge the amendments in court despite a recent Constitutional Court ruling that dismissed an earlier legal challenge.
Human rights organisations have also raised concerns. According to reports, some activists opposing the amendments have faced intimidation, harassment and violence.
Human Rights Watch previously alleged that opponents of the reforms had been threatened and attacked during the debate over the proposed changes.
President Mnangagwa, who came to power in 2017 after the removal of longtime leader Robert Mugabe, is currently serving his second term in office.
If the amendments become law, they could significantly reshape Zimbabwe’s political system and extend the influence of the ruling party for years to come.
