The Law Society of Zimbabwe has declared that clauses within the proposed Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3) that seek to extend presidential terms are unconstitutional without a national referendum. This development, reported on May 21, 2026, intensifies the ongoing debate surrounding the controversial bill. The proposed amendment aims to extend presidential and parliamentary terms from five to seven years and potentially shift presidential elections to a parliamentary vote, a move that critics argue is designed to allow President Emmerson Mnangagwa to remain in power until 2030 without facing direct elections. Opposition figures and civil society groups have consistently voiced strong concerns, warning of a potential constitutional crisis and democratic backsliding if the bill passes without broader public consultation.
Key Players Involved
- Law Society of Zimbabwe: Declared the term extension clauses unconstitutional without a referendum.
- President Emmerson Mnangagwa: The current president whose term could be extended until 2030 under the proposed amendment.
- Zimbabwean Parliament: Expected to vote on the Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3).
Event Timeline
- May 21, 2026: Law Society of Zimbabwe issues a statement on the unconstitutionality of CAB3 clauses without a referendum.
- February 2026: The government of Zimbabwe proposed the Constitution Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3).
- Current Status: The debate around CAB3 continues, with strong opposition from legal and civil society groups, as the bill awaits a parliamentary vote.
