DEFENDING THE CONSTITUTION IS NOW A NATIONAL DUTY

Zimbabwe is facing a very dangerous moment in its history. The country is under serious threat from leaders who no longer respect the law or the will of the people. The constitution, which is meant to protect citizens and limit power, is being attacked from the highest office. This has forced many people across politics and civil society to stand up and say enough is enough.

Veteran opposition leader Tendai Biti, who once served as finance minister, has spoken clearly about this danger. He says the Constitution Defence Forum, also known as CDF, has been formed to protect the constitution from continued attacks by President Emmerson Mnangagwa. The forum is not working alone. It seeks to work broadly with Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, opposition leader Nelson Chamisa, the wider opposition movement, and civil society groups.

The CDF is similar in spirit to another platform led by Jameson Timba. Both movements bring together political and civic voices. Their shared goal is simple. They want to stop the destruction of the constitution and defend democracy at a time when the country is trapped in a deep economic and social crisis. Jobs are gone. Prices are high. Public services are broken. Hope is fading for many families.

Since taking power in 2017, Mnangagwa has changed the 2013 constitution three times. Each change has pushed more power into his hands. These amendments were not done to help ordinary people. They were done to help one man stay in office longer. Biti warns that this steady erosion of the constitution is not an accident. It is planned. It is systematic. And it is dangerous.

Now the situation is even worse. Mnangagwa and his faction within ZANU PF are pushing to extend his rule beyond the 2028 limit to 2030. This move goes against the spirit and letter of the constitution. Even more worrying, changes have already been made to extend presidential terms from five years to seven. The people are also being robbed of their right to choose a president directly, as selection is being shifted to parliament.

Biti says this must be resisted with courage and unity. He has called for nationwide demonstrations so that citizens can defend their constitution and their democracy. He believes silence will only invite more abuse. The CDF wants to become a rallying point for everyone who believes that no leader is above the law.

Interestingly, not everyone in ZANU PF agrees with Mnangagwa. Chiwenga and his allies are said to oppose the plan to extend the president’s term. This shows that even inside the ruling party, there is fear about where the country is going.

Civil society groups and opposition activists have described what is happening as a constitutional coup. Under the rules of the African Union, such actions are illegal and unacceptable. Zimbabwe has already suffered enough. Mnangagwa first came to power through a military coup in 2017, then claimed victory in two disputed elections in 2018 and 2023. Now he wants to change the rules again.

Decades of poor leadership have pushed Zimbabwe into economic ruin and social decay. The constitution was meant to protect the nation from exactly this kind of abuse. Defending it is no longer a choice. It is a national duty.