Zimbabwe moved closer to implementing sweeping constitutional changes on Wednesday after the Senate overwhelmingly approved amendments that could allow President Emmerson Mnangagwa to remain in office until 2030.
The vote marked the final stage of parliamentary approval for the controversial legislation, which had already secured backing from the National Assembly earlier this month. The bill now awaits President Mnangagwa’s signature before becoming law.
According to Senate President Mabel Chinomona, 75 senators supported the amendments, while four voted against them.
The lower chamber had earlier endorsed the proposals on June 18, with 216 lawmakers voting in favour and 42 opposing the measure.
The proposed constitutional changes have generated intense debate across Zimbabwe. Critics have described the package of reforms as a “constitutional coup,” arguing that it could significantly alter the country’s democratic framework and further strengthen the ruling Zanu-PF party’s hold on power.
Among the most significant provisions is an extension of presidential and parliamentary terms from five years to seven years.
If enacted, the amendment would prolong Mnangagwa’s current and constitutionally final term until 2030.
Another major change would transfer the power to select the president to Parliament, eliminating direct presidential elections that have been in place since 1987, seven years after Zimbabwe gained independence.
The amendments come against the backdrop of Zanu-PF’s dominant position in Parliament. The party, which has governed Zimbabwe continuously since independence in 1980, maintains a commanding majority in both legislative chambers.
Opposition groups have strongly opposed the reforms, warning that they would further entrench the ruling party’s control over the resource-rich southern African nation.
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The opposition, weakened by years of political repression and disputed elections, argues that the proposed amendments undermine democratic governance.
Efforts to resist the changes have faced significant obstacles. Activists campaigning against the amendments have reported cases of intimidation, arrests and physical attacks allegedly carried out by suspected state agents. Attempts to halt the process through the courts have also been unsuccessful.
Mnangagwa, 83, rose to power in 2017 following a military-backed takeover that removed long-time leader Robert Mugabe, who was then 93 years old and had ruled the country for 37 years.
Known by the nickname “The Crocodile,” Mnangagwa has been viewed by some analysts as governing in a more authoritarian manner than his predecessor. He secured election victories in 2018 and 2023, both for five-year terms.
When Zimbabwe’s cabinet approved the constitutional reform proposal in February, it defended the move as necessary to ensure continuity in governance and development planning.
The cabinet said the amendments would “enhance political stability and policy continuity to allow development programmes to be implemented to completion”.
Human rights organisations have also raised concerns over the process. In March, Human Rights Watch accused authorities of targeting opponents of the proposed reforms.
“Over the last few months, the police and unidentified armed men have threatened, harassed, and beat up several people who are opposed to the proposed constitutional amendment,” it said in a statement.
With parliamentary approval now secured, attention has shifted to Mnangagwa, whose signature is required for the amendments to take effect.