The YouTube video, titled “WATCH LIVE: Mnangagwa Responds To Chiwenga On BBI,” from the GAMBAKWE MEDIA channel, provides an evening news update on political developments in Zimbabwe concerning the proposed constitutional amendments and a plan for the President’s extended term.

Here is a summary of the key points:

1. Mnangagwa vs. Chiwenga and the BBI Document

The video focuses on the political tension between President Mnangagwa and Vice President Chiwenga over the alleged “Breaking Barriers Initiative” (BBI) document [02:18]:

  • Chiwenga’s Allegations: Chiwenga reportedly presented a dossier to the ZANU-PF Politburo alleging that President Mnangagwa was not a “constitutionalist” and was seeking to amend the constitution to secure a 10-year extension of his term [02:47].
  • Ziyambi Ziyambi’s Response: Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Ziyambi Ziyambi, issued a press statement in response to the circulating BBI document. He refused to confirm or deny the document’s authenticity, calling its source “dubious” and a “total waste of time” [05:57]. He stated the public will be informed once the relevant authorities finalize the precise amendments [06:14].
  • Counter-Response: The video claims that Chiwenga’s “own people” have released more documents, including minutes from a July 12, 2025, meeting, to support the legitimacy of the BBI proposals and debunk Ziyambi’s denial [06:46].

2. Details of the Proposed Constitutional Amendments (BBI)

The video details the specific proposals contained in the BBI, reportedly intended to secure a new term for President Mnangagwa without a general election:

  • Deemed Election: The proposal involves transitioning from a direct presidential election to an indirect election by Parliament [07:46].
  • No Resignation or Referendum: This move would not require the sitting president to resign, nor would it require a national referendum [08:10].
  • New Term: President Mnangagwa would be deemed to have been elected for a new five-year term from 2025 to 2030, with his current term (2023-2025) being ignored [08:17].
  • 10-Year Cooling-Off Period: The plan includes a 10-year cooling-off period with no general elections in Zimbabwe [08:41]. The broader plan allegedly extends to 2035 [19:56].
  • Architect of the Bill: The omnibus bill is reportedly proposed by a company named “Shikamu,” owned by Glenn Mupani, who is said to be connected to Jonathan Moyo [20:47].

3. Commentary on the Strategy (Putin Parallel)

A guest on the show, General Ruend Gamba, compares the alleged strategy to that used by Russian President Vladimir Putin [12:33]:

  • Placeholder President: The proposed method would involve the President stepping down to allow a “dummy president” or “placeholder” to take the seat [13:19].
  • Legislative Path: The ZANU-PF-controlled Parliament would then pass the constitutional amendments, which would be legalized by the judiciary [13:34].
  • Return to Power: The placeholder would sign the bill into law before giving the seat back to Mnangagwa, thus legalizing the extended stay in power for the next 10 years [14:11].
  • Motive: The General argues the move is about protecting accumulated wealth by ZANU-PF members who fear a new president, such as Chiwenga, would arrest corrupt leaders and businessmen [15:54].

4. M31 Political Party Announcement

The channel’s host (Gambakwe) also made an announcement regarding his own political activity:

  • The M31 Zimbabwe coalition has officially notified the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) of its existence and its symbol [00:43].
  • The host is the presidential candidate for “Gamba 2028,” and he plans to give an update on the coalition’s roadmap on Friday [01:41].

Transcription of Ziyambi Ziyambi.jpeg (Press Statement)

(Letterhead) Ref: MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS Justice Centre, Corner 7th Street and C. M. A. Chingwa Road, Causeway, Harare, Zimbabwe

  • (The address on the letterhead seems to be a slightly older or different one than the stamp implies, which shows “P BAG 7751, CAUSEWAY”) *

22 October 2025

PRESS STATEMENT

It has come to my attention that a document entitled “Breaking Barriers Initiative”-bearing, no named author and allegedly referenced in a purported “dossier” recently submitted to the presidium of the governing party, Zanu PF-is being disseminated widely across social media platforms. Such dissemination is accompanied by unsubstantiated, unverified and unsupported assertions that the document constitutes an authentic representation of the official stance of Zanu PF and the Government of Zimbabwe regarding proposed amendments to the Constitution of Zimbabwe, intended to implement and give effect to the party’s Resolution Number 1 first adopted in October 2024.

Whereas multiple submissions from legal practitioners, experts, and scholars have been tendered proposing sundry amendments and procedural mechanisms for the implementation of the Resolution, and with submissions having been presented since November 2024-some directly to the party, others to Parliament, to my office, and whereas no determination has been rendered to adopt, endorse, or advance any such proposals; my office is not able to comment on or verify the authenticity of the circulating document, which may, in all likelihood, be spurious, fabricated or manipulated; particularly in light of the dubious source of its disclosure.

Once the relevant authorities make a decision on the precise amendments to be made and the process for their enactment into law, the public will be appropriately and transparently informed. Until then, any fascination or preoccupation with a document reportedly leaked from dubious sources and lacking a named author-is a total waste of time and an unfortunate disservice to the national interest.

In the meantime, the public is advised to be guided accordingly.

(Signature and Stamp) Hon. Ziyambi Ziyambi (MP) Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs

 

Transcription of Ziyambi 1.jpeg (ZZ Brief on BBI – Excerpt)

 

The proposed deeming provision would greatly contribute to the detoxification of the political environment in that, by deeming President Mnangagwa elected, the provision would align with the shift to a parliamentary system (similar to the one in South Africa), which would reduce the toxicity of direct elections. This would support the broader goal of fostering a less polarized policymaking environment, enabling focus on socio-economic progress, service delivery and anti-corruption measures.

Crucially, and as already intimated, the proposed deeming provision would avoid a referendum under section 328(7) which would require a referendum (for term-limit extensions) as it would grant a new term under the President’s eligibility (one full term served, 2018–2023). By deeming the President elected by Parliament, the provision would align his presidency with the new system, which would grant him a new five-year term (2025–2030) as his second term, as it falls within his eligibility (one full term served).

 

The Proposed Deeming Provision

 

In summary, and based on the foregoing, the proposed deeming provision should:

  • Deem Mnangagwa elected by Parliament to avoid any presidential election during the first five years of the 10-year cooling-off period.
  • Grant the President a fresh, second, and final term (2025–2030), leveraging section 91(2)’s rule that less than three years is not a term.
  • Clarify that current service (2023–2025) does not count as a term, nullified by section 92’s repeal.
  • Avoid a referendum by framing the term as within Mnangagwa’s eligibility.
  • Align with the cooling-off period and inclusive government goals.

 

Possible Wording of the Proposed Deeming Provision:

 

“Upon the repeal of section 92 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe (2013), the President in office as of 22 December 2025, shall be deemed to have been elected by Parliament for a term of five years commencing on 22 December 2025 and ending on 23 December 2030. Service as President under the repealed section 92 from 4 September 2023 to 22 December 2025, being less than three years, shall not be deemed a term for the purposes of section 91(2). The deemed term shall be counted as the President’s second and final term under section 91(2), subject to the provisions of this Constitution, including any mechanisms for removal or accountability established by this amendment.”

 

Transcription of Zimyambi 2.jpg (ZZ Brief on BBI (3).pdf – Excerpt)

 

12 JULY 2025

BRIEFING DOCUMENT FOR THE HONOURABLE MINISITER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS CDE ZIYAMBI ZIYAMBI This brief addressed the following three separate but interrelated questions that are crucial to and for the understanding of the proposed Omnibus Amendment to the Constitution (Amendment to the Constitution (Number 3) Bill, 2025 under the Breaking Barriers Initiative (BBI).

Question 1: Will the proposed transition from the direct election of the president to an indirect election by Parliament following the proposed repeal of section 92 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe require the resignation of the sitting President?

Question 2: Is the wording “whether continuous or not” in section 91(2) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe (2013) in reference to “terms” or to the reckoning of the “here or more years”, the minimum threshold that constitutes a full term?

Question 3: Does the wording in section 143(1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe that “Parliament is elected for a five-year term” mean that the section has a “term limit provision” as contemplated under section 328(1) of the Constitution, and therefore cannot be amended without a referendum as required by section 328(7)?

Below are the responses to these important questions.

 

1. NO VACCUM IN THE PROPOSED BBI CONSTITUTIONAL TRANSITION

 

Is it the case that the Breaking Barriers Initiative (BBI) constitutional transition — in terms of the proposed Omnibus Amendment to the Constitution (Amendment to the Constitution (Number 3) Bill, 2025 — His Excellency, the President, ED Mnangagwa would be required to resign to contest for the presidential election under the new proposed election system in Parliament following the proposed repeal of section 92 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe?

The answer is an emphatic no. It is trite that, to be acceptable, the transition should be smooth and seamless; without a vacuum even for a second. This is because a vacuum is by definition dangerous in that it can throw up unpredictable circumstances that can invite chaos and thus undermine the intended constitutional objectives.

Given that the overarching objective of the proposed Omnibus Amendment to the Constitution is the detoxification of the occupied of disputed elections and toxic policy environment between the disputed elections, it would counterproductive to have a solution that is based on an election that would be invariably disputed, no matter how it is held or conducted.

 

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