National Progressive Democrats- NPD

05/03/2026

The NPD's Petition to the Clerk of Parliament

06 March 2026.

12/02/2026

FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT
NATIONAL PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS (NPD)

TO: All Zimbabweans; Members of the Fourth Estate; Diplomatic Corps; Southern African Development Community; African Union; and the International Community

DATE: 12 FEBRUARY 2026

SUBJECT: CONSTITUTION OF ZIMBABWE AMENDMENT BILL, 2026 - POSITION OF THE NATIONAL PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS

1.0 PREAMBLE
The National Progressive Democrats (NPD) issues this statement in exercise of its duty as a political formation bound by the supremacy of the Constitution of Zimbabwe (2013).

We did not enter the political arena to serve as spectators. Since our formation in 2025, we have maintained a clear position: the so-called “2030 agenda” is unconstitutional and without legal foundation.

On 10 February 2026, the Cabinet of Zimbabwe approved the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Bill, 2026. What was previously an informal proposition has now assumed legislative form.

It is our considered view that this Bill does not constitute a constitutional amendment. It is a constitutional coup.

We join all citizens and civil society formations that have raised legitimate concerns regarding this matter. The defence of the supreme law is not a partisan competition. It is a national obligation.

2.0 LEGAL ANALYSIS OF THE BILL
The Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Bill, 2026, as approved by Cabinet, proposes the following material alterations to the supreme law:

2.1 Repeal of Section 92
The Bill seeks to delete Section 92 of the Constitution of the Republic of Zimbabwe (2013), which currently provides that, “The President is elected by voters registered on the common roll...”.

This provision entrenches the fundamental right of every registered voter to participate in the direct election of the President. Its removal extinguishes that right.

2.2 Introduction of Parliamentary Election of the President
The Bill proposes the insertion of a new clause providing for the election of the President by a joint sitting of Parliament, comprising 350 Members of Parliament and Senators.

2.3 Extension of Presidential Term
The Bill further proposes the extension of the Presidential term of office from five years to seven years, with purported retroactive application.

2.4 Expansion of Senate
The Bill empowers the President to appoint an additional ten Senators, expanding the Senate to 90 seats.

3.0 CONSTITUTIONAL IMPEDIMENTS - THE REFERENDUM REQUIREMENT
Section 328(4) and (5) of the Constitution of the Republic of Zimbabwe (2013) is unambiguous. Any amendment to the Declaration of Rights or to provisions relating to the election or tenure of the president must be submitted to a national referendum and approved by a majority of votes cast.

The NPD observes that no referendum has been scheduled, nor has any indication been given that one will be conducted.
We affirm the following legal position: any amendment affecting Presidential elections or tenure passed without a referendum is null and void ab initio and of no legal force or effect.

4.0 THE NATIONAL PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS' POSITION
The NPD adopts the following position regarding the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Bill, 2026:

4.1 We demand the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Bill, 2026 from all parliamentary processes.

4.2 We declare that no amendment affecting Presidential elections or tenure shall be recognised as legitimate unless approved by a majority of votes cast in a free and fair national referendum conducted in accordance with Section 328 of the Constitution.

4.3 We affirm that Section 92 of the Constitution of the Republic of Zimbabwe (2013) is non-negotiable. The right of citizens to elect their President directly is not a grant from the State but an entrenched constitutional right.

4.4 We reject any expansion of the Senate for partisan advantage. The Senate is constitutionally mandated to represent provincial interests, not to serve as a receptacle for executive appointees.

4.5 We note that litigation regarding this matter is properly before the courts. It is procedurally irregular and constitutionally improper for the Executive to accelerate legislative amendments while the Constitutional Court is seized with the legality of the same subject matter.

5.0 MEASURES UNDERTAKEN BY THE NATIONAL PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS
The NPD hereby gives notice of the following actions:

5.1 Parliamentary Engagement
We shall render support to all Members of Parliament committed to opposing this Bill. Such support shall include legal research, constituency mobilisation, and public advocacy.

5.2 Litigation
The NPD shall instruct legal practitioners to seek admission as amicus curiae or co-applicants in any pending or prospective challenge before the Constitutional Court.

5.3 Continental Engagement
We formally add our voice to appeals made to the African Union and the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights. We call for an urgent demarche and intervention in accordance with continental instruments on democratic governance.

5.4 Citizen Mobilisation
We align with the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition’s, “Tinoida Yakadaro / Siyifuna Injalo” campaign. We direct our provincial structures to establish Constitutional Community Hubs in every ward for purposes of civic education and constitutional defence.

5.5 Regional Engagement
We call upon the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to assess whether the election it certified in 2023 is being honoured or abrogated.

6.0 ADDRESS TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC
In the past, President E.D. Mnangagwa has previously asserted his commitment to constitutionalism and indicated his intention to demit office in 2028.

The NPD does not question the sincerity of prior statements. However, we place on record the following:

Assent to this Bill shall constitute full ownership of its provisions. History shall record not the statements preceding the signature, but the consequences following it.

We respectfully urge the President not to assent to the Bill should it be presented for signature.

7.0 ADDRESS TO THE CITIZENRY
The NPD does not call for violence. We do not advocate insurrection.

We call for vigilance. We call for the peaceful, lawful, and resolute refusal to accept unlawfulness.

The Constitution of the Republic of Zimbabwe (2013), is not a reward for political loyalty. It is not an archival document to be replaced whenever an incumbent fears the ballot.

It is the supreme law of the land, enacted by the people, binding on all organs of the State.

8.0 CONCLUSION
The National Progressive Democrats is a party formed in 2025. We do not possess the resources of incumbency. We do not control State media or printing presses.

What we possess is the mandate derived from our founding declaration: that we are from the people, by the people, and our strength lies in the masses.

That mandate remains intact. That conviction remains unshaken.

We stand with every citizen who stands between this Bill and the Constitution.

The Constitution belongs to the people of Zimbabwe.

The people of Zimbabwe are not yet dead.

TOGETHER WE DEFEND IT.

Issued by:
Togara Fambi
President, National Progressive Democrats
12 February 2026
NPD Headquarters, Bulawayo

10/02/2026

Statement by the National Progressive Democrats on the Constitution of Zimbabwe (Amendment) Bill, 2026

The National Progressive Democrats view with grave concern the proposed constitutional amendments currently before Parliament. This bill, masquerading as "modernization" and "harmonization," is in reality a brazen attempt to dismantle the core democratic safeguards of our Constitution, concentrate unchecked power in the Executive, and strip the people of Zimbabwe of their hard-won rights and institutions.

We condemn this legislation in the strongest possible terms for the following reasons:

1. The Subversion of Democratic Choice: Changing the election of the President from a direct vote by the people to a selection by Parliament is a direct assault on popular sovereignty. It removes power from the citizen and places it in the hands of politicians, making the presidency subject to backroom deals and undermining the foundational principle that executive authority derives from the people.
2. The Entrenchment of Power: Extending presidential and parliamentary terms from five to seven years is not about "stability" or "project implementation"; it is about entrenching the incumbent and reducing democratic accountability. Coupled with the power to appoint 10 additional Senators, this creates a pathway for the Executive to control the legislature, blurring the vital separation of powers.
3. The Dismantling of Independent Institutions: The bill systematically weakens or abolishes critical independent commissions designed to protect citizens.
· Abolishing the Zimbabwe Gender Commission and folding its work into the Human Rights Commission is a severe blow to the focused advancement of gender equality and the protection of women's rights.
· Abolishing the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission in a nation still healing from past conflicts is reckless and demonstrates a contempt for genuine national healing and justice.
· Politicizing the Prosecution: Removing the requirement for the Judicial Service Commission's advice on appointing the Prosecutor-General opens the door for a partisan and pliant prosecutorial authority, threatening the rule of law.
4. The Politicization of Electoral Governance: Fragmenting the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) and transferring voter registration to the Registrar-General's office—a department under the Executive—undermines the integrity of our elections. It returns us to a discredited past where the voters' roll was a source of dispute and mistrust, casting a long shadow over future electoral legitimacy.
5. The Weakening of Traditional Leadership and Oversight: Removing the code of conduct for traditional leaders and altering the mandate of the security forces from "upholding the Constitution" to acting merely "in accordance with" it are subtle but dangerous changes that erode constitutionalism and the accountability of all state actors.

This is not reform; it is a constitutional coup. It represents a desperate lurch towards authoritarianism, dressed in legalistic language. It steals the people's right to choose their leader, abuses the power entrusted to Parliament by using it to hollow out democracy, and insults the intelligence of every Zimbabwean who believes in justice, equality, and freedom.

We, the National Progressive Democrats, stand in solidarity with all Zimbabweans who believe in democracy. We call upon:

-All Members of Parliament to reject this anti-people bill in its entirety.
- Civil society, the legal community, churches, and labor unions to raise their voices in unified opposition.
-The international community to take note of this deliberate unraveling of democratic norms in Zimbabwe.
-The people of Zimbabwe to remain vigilant and defend their Constitution.

Our nation's progress depends on more democracy, not less; on stronger institutions, not weaker ones; and on power residing with the people, not being clawed back by a powerful few. We will fight this bill and any future attempt to undermine the sovereign will of the people of Zimbabwe.

For Democracy, For the People, For Zimbabwe.

National Progressive Democrats.

24/11/2025

The Chronicle of a Nation Adrift: Zimbabwe's Descent into Crisis

In the early 2000s, Zimbabwe was a beacon of hope in Southern Africa, with fertile lands, rich minerals, and a vibrant culture. Fast forward two decades, and the country finds itself grappling with a confluence of socio-political and economic storms, a stark reminder of the perils of bad leadership.

The Economic Melapse
Hyperinflation: Once Africa’s breadbasket, Zimbabwe hit a dizzying inflation peak of 89.7 sextillion percent in 2008. The Zimbabwean dollar became virtually worthless, pushing citizens into a cash-strapped existence. Streets once bustling with commerce now echoed with queues for basic goods.

Unemployment: With industries shutting down, over 90% youth unemployment became a ticking time bomb. The informal sector became the lifeline for many, as formal jobs vanished.

Farming Collapse: The tumultuous land reform, starting in 2000, disrupted agricultural output. To***co, a key export, dwindled, and food imports became a necessity, eroding self-sufficiency.

The Political Struggle
Authoritarian Grip: A tightening of political space silenced dissent. The 2002 presidential election was marred by violence and allegations of rigging, setting a tone for contentious polls thereafter. Opposition figures faced harassment, limiting checks on power.

Corruption: Scandals like the looting of diamond revenues (the "Marange diamonds") drained resources meant for development. Trust in institutions eroded, and public services crumbled.

Protests and Crackdowns: Peaceful demonstrations were met with brutality. The 2019 fuel protests left citizens mourning, their economic anguish met with state force.

The Social Toll
Healthcare Crisis: Hospitals, once decent, now lacked basics-medicines, equipment, staff. Life expectancy dropped. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed deep vulnerabilities.

Migration Exodus: Skilled professionals fled, chasing stability elsewhere. The brain drain left gaps in critical sectors, weakening the fabric of society.

Food Insecurity: With agriculture faltering, hunger crept in. By 2020, over 7 million people needed food aid, a haunting irony for a country once called the "breadbasket of Africa."

A Glimmer of Unyielding Spirit
Yet, amid the shadows, Zimbabweans showed resilience. Small businesses sprouted in alleys, communities rallied, and a tech-driven innovation scene flickered to life. Protests, though suppressed, persisted. The call for accountable leadership grew louder.

A New Path Forward
As the National Progressive Democrats (NPD), our aim is clear: these crises won’t prevail, not on our watch. We envision a Zimbabwe where transparency, justice, and innovation drive recovery. A nation where every citizen has access to quality healthcare, education, and opportunities. We pledge to champion policies that revive agriculture, empower our youth, and rebuild trust in governance.

The journey is tough, but we believe in the power of Zimbabwe’s people. Together, we can rewrite this chronicle-towards a future of prosperity, equality, and hope.

The PDs are ready, and armed already. Let’s reclaim Zimbabwe.

Orange wayaa!!!

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