Harare, Zimbabwe | A coalition of retired generals and senior civil servants, all ex-combatants, has intensified resistance to proposed constitutional changes, asserting that any amendments to the nation’s supreme law must be ratified by the Zimbabwean populace through a national referendum. Their stance comes as Parliament reviews the Constitutional Amendment No. 3 Bill (H.B 1, 2026), which includes provisions to extend the President’s term of office.
In a formal submission to the Clerk of Parliament on March 12, the group urged President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa to prioritize national interest over personal or political considerations, advocating for citizens to directly decide on the proposed changes. They contend that the amendments should not be enacted without explicit public approval.
The submission, signed by Air Marshal (Retired) Henry Muchena on behalf of the ex-combatants, warns that the proposed amendments risk eroding the fundamental principle that political power in Zimbabwe originates from its people. The group emphasized that relying solely on parliamentary processes for such significant constitutional alterations would undermine universal suffrage, a core tenet of the liberation struggle.
“We call on Parliament to do the right thing and submit these proposed amendments to a national referendum, as democratic principles demand. Anything less is not a a constitutional amendment. It is a betrayal not of us, but of every Zimbabwean who ever dared to hope for a better country,” the group stated in their submission.
They argued that if the proposed changes genuinely serve the national interest, the government should facilitate a national referendum, allowing citizens to voice their will directly, rather than entrusting the decision solely to Members of Parliament.
The former liberation war commanders invoked the legacy of the liberation struggle and the founding principles of the ruling ZANU-PF party, asserting that the revolution was predicated on the belief that power resides with the people. They cautioned that altering the Constitution without broad public consultation would betray the sacrifices made by liberation fighters.
Referencing the leadership doctrine articulated in 2002 by the late General Vitalis Zvinavashe, the group underscored that leaders should align with party values and the popular will, rather than manipulating national institutions for personal ambition. They stressed their unwavering loyalty to both the ruling party and the President, yet firmly stated that the Constitution is the property of all Zimbabweans, not exclusively that of ZANU-PF.
“We are Zanu-PF. We have always been Zanu-PF. We will die Zanu-PF,” the group affirmed. “But the national Constitution is not Zanu-PF’s property. It belongs to every Zimbabwean.”
The ex-combatants clarified that their intervention is not an act of rebellion but an exercise of their democratic right to participate in the public debate surrounding the proposed amendments, as stipulated by Section 328(4) of the Constitution, which mandates public input on constitutional changes.
“We remain loyal to the party, loyal to the nation, and loyal above all to the people of Zimbabwe,” they concluded.
As the Constitutional Amendment No. 3 Bill undergoes parliamentary review, the call for a national referendum from this influential group adds a significant dimension to the ongoing debate, highlighting deep-seated concerns about democratic principles and popular sovereignty.
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