EFF slams Mnangagwa’s term extension as a ‘power grab’

Mnangagwa

Cape Town – The EFF has condemned Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s decision to sign constitutional amendments extending the presidential term from five to seven years and delaying elections until 2030.

The new law also abolishes direct presidential elections, giving parliament the power to appoint the president.

The raft of amendments have been sharply criticised by opposition figures in the country where 83-year-old Mnangagwa’s Zanu-PF party holds a parliamentary majority.

“SIGNED, SEALED AND DELIVERED – IT’S NOW LAW,” information ministry senior official Nick Mangwana announced in a post on X that showed a copy of the new act.

Describing the changes as a “power grab”, the EFF accused ZANU-PF of undermining democracy to entrench its rule while ignoring Zimbabwe’s economic challenges, unemployment and poverty.

“No liberation movement acquires a permanent entitlement to govern simply because of its historic role in defeating colonialism. The legitimacy won on the battlefield must continually be renewed through the democratic consent of the people,” the party said.

“Any government that fears returning to the people for a fresh democratic mandate is one that is certain it has lost the will of the people.”

The party argued that governments must continually earn the people’s mandate and criticised the amendments as an attempt to cling to power rather than improve governance.

The EFF urged Zimbabwe’s leaders to prioritise citizens’ needs over political interests, saying the country requires economic reform and accountable leadership instead of constitutional changes that extend the ruling party’s grip on power.

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