Zimbabwe constitutional amendment extends presidential term to 7 years, moves next election to 2030

Zimbabwe's 83-year-old President Mnangagwa will rule longer than 2028, contrary to his own assurances. Civil rights groups are sounding the alarm.

21 July 2026 | 18:09 Uhr

Extends his term until 2030: Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Photo: Siphiwe Sibeko / Reuters

From Johannesburg and Bulawayo

Tintswalo Baloyi and Mangaliso Tshuma

Civil society organizations in Zimbabwe are expressing growing concern over the curtailment of democratic freedoms following recent controversies surrounding a constitutional amendment that will keep President Emmerson Mnangagwa in office beyond the previous end of his second elected term in 2028.

The activist organization Citizen Watch Zimbabwe (CWZ) points to the arrest of Bhekimpilo Mbedzi, chairperson of the civil rights group NDWG (National Democratic Working Group) in Matabeleland South province, following a peaceful demonstration against the constitutional amendment, which was pushed through without the required democratic procedures.

CWZ President Patience Chard said the arrest increases the widespread fear in Zimbabwe of state intimidation as soon as one exercises the fundamental rights guaranteed in the constitution.

"We can no longer accept what we consider a breach of the constitution at the expense of ordinary Zimbabweans," Chard told taz.

Peaceful protest must not be criminalized.

"Citizens have the right to express their views peacefully and hold their leaders accountable. Arresting people for participating in peaceful protests undermines public trust in democratic institutions and discourages participation."

Zimbabwe's constitution guarantees freedom of expression and assembly, as do the African and international human rights conventions to which the country is a signatory.

The Constitutional Amendment

The controversial constitutional amendment, against which the protests are directed, was enacted by President Mnangagwa on July 7. The law, named Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3)_Act,_2026):

• Extends the terms of office of the President and Parliament from five to seven years
• Postpones the next elections from 2028 to 2030
• Changes the presidential election process: the President will no longer be directly elected by the people, but will be chosen by Parliament

The cabinet had initiated the bill in February, and Parliament voted in favor in June. By now giving it the force of law after months of heated controversy, Mnangagwa contradicts his previous statements that he would under no circumstances remain in office beyond 2028.

A Reversal of Promises

As recently as February 2025, the President, who formerly bore the nickname "Crocodile," specifically summoned the editors-in-chief of Zimbabwean newspapers to the presidential palace to personally confirm to them that he was "constitutional" and would not rule beyond his second elected term, which ends in 2028. Instead, he said, he would step down in good time so that the ruling former liberation movement Zanu-PF (Zimbabwe African National Union / Patriotic Front) could clarify the succession. With these statements, Mnangagwa had wanted to put an end to speculation to the contrary.

Now it is turning out exactly as critics feared at the time, even though church leaders, retired generals, lawyers, and civil society groups have voiced broad public criticism of the plan in recent months, which they believe weakens Zimbabwe's constitutional order.

Divergent Views

Supporters of the reforms argue that the constitutional reform operates within the framework permitted by the constitution and ensures continuity at the head of state. The question of whether Mnangagwa's remaining in office beyond 2028 increases or decreases Zimbabwe's stability remains controversial and is likely to fuel further debate.

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