11/02/2026
*PRESS STATEMENT*
*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*
The New Zimbabwe Democratic Change (NZDC) party strongly opposes the proposed amendment to Zimbabwe's constitution, which seeks to introduce a parliamentary-style system and extend the presidential term to seven years without a referendum.
*Statement from the NZDC Party*
We reject the notion that scrapping presidential elections and allowing Parliament to choose the President is democratic. This move would undermine the people's right to directly elect their leader and concentrate power in the hands of a few individuals.
The extension of the presidential term to seven years without a referendum is a blatant attempt to entrench President Mnangagwa in power and undermine the will of the people. This move is undemocratic and contradicts the principles of good governance and accountability.
Furthermore, tying the President's term to the life of Parliament would create a system of patronage, where Members of Parliament and Senators are beholden to the President and the ruling party. This would undermine the independence of the legislature and perpetuate a culture of corruption and cronyism.
We also note that the proposed system would create a hybrid model, where the President serves as both Head of State and Head of Government, but is also accountable to Parliament. This would create confusion and undermine the separation of powers, leading to a recipe for disaster.
*Challenging the Bill*
As the NZDC party, we are committed to challenging this bill through all available legal and democratic means. We will:
- File a petition in the Constitutional Court, citing Section 167 of the Constitution, which grants the Court jurisdiction to hear and determine disputes concerning the interpretation of the Constitution.
- Mobilize public support through peaceful protests and awareness campaigns, exercising our right to freedom of expression and assembly under Section 61 and 67 of the Constitution.
- Engage with international partners and organizations to raise concerns about the undemocratic nature of the proposed amendment.
- Work with other opposition parties and civil society organizations to build a united front against the amendment.
*Key Concerns*
- Scrapping presidential elections and allowing Parliament to choose the President
- Extending the presidential term to seven years without a referendum
- Tying the President's term to the life of Parliament
- Creating a hybrid model that undermines the separation of powers
- Undermining the independence of the legislature and perpetuating corruption and cronyism
We call on all Zimbabweans to join us in rejecting this amendment and demanding a better future for our country.
Issued by:
President Bernard Mutemasango
New Zimbabwe Democratic Change (NZDC) Party
