By A Correspondent
In a bold statement, church leaders in Zimbabwe have called on President Emmerson Mnangagwa to respect the constitutional term limits, amid growing calls from some Members of Parliament and political activists urging for an extension of his presidency beyond 2028.
The Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHOCD), a coalition of church leaders, expressed deep concern over these proposals, warning that such actions would undermine the Constitution. “The call to extend the Presidential Term Limits and postpone the 2028 elections is an invitation for the President to be a co-conspirator in overthrowing the Constitution of the Country which the President is elected to uphold, respect and defend,” the ZHOCD declared in a statement issued on 21 January 2025.
The church leaders emphasized that Mnangagwa’s consistent declarations in defense of the Constitution should be upheld. “We take relief from the consistent remarks made by His Excellency on several occasions where he has repeatedly affirmed his commitment to uphold the Constitution of Zimbabwe by committing not to extend his Presidency beyond the Constitutional and legal limits,” the statement said. This reinforces the leaders’ belief that Mnangagwa intends to honor his oath to respect both the Constitution and the rule of law.
The ZHOCD also reiterated its commitment to promoting democratic values and constitutionalism, urging Mnangagwa to resist pressures for a term extension. “As the Church, we encourage the President to adhere to the constitutional term limits, and to support a peaceful transition of power in the year 2028 following free, fair, and credible elections,” they added.
The church leaders warned that extending the presidential term limits could erode public trust in Zimbabwe’s electoral processes and destabilize the country at a critical time. “The proposal to extend presidential term limits may irretrievably erode public trust in the electoral processes in Zimbabwe and would destabilise the country at a time when unity and peace are most needed for our economic and social transformation,” the statement emphasized.
Additionally, the church called for the implementation of electoral reforms to ensure accountability, transparency, and a peaceful transfer of power. “We urge the Government to adhere to the electoral timelines as stipulated in the Constitution and ensure that all elections are conducted in a transparent, credible, and peaceful manner,” the ZHOCD concluded.
As the country approaches the 2028 elections, the church’s message is clear: upholding the Constitution and ensuring a peaceful transition of power is essential for Zimbabwe’s democratic future.