By Sharon Chimenya
The Zanu-PF Masvingo provincial leadership fully supports Constitutional Amendment Bill Number 3 of 2026, which the government recently gazetted.
The province, which was the first to champion the “2030” slogan, said it will support the bill as it responds to the needs voiced by people from the grassroots level up to the party’s 22nd Conference held in Mutare last year.
Part of the bill includes extending the presidential term from five to seven years, which would also allow President Emmerson Mnangagwa to serve until 2030.
This development effectively moves the slogan and Resolution Number 1, made at the Zanu PF 21st National People’s Conference in Mutare, toward implementation.
In an interview following the Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) meeting, Masvingo Zanu-PF Provincial chairperson Robson Mavhenyengwa said the bill had been gazetted, with the next step being for Parliament to conduct public hearings.
He said that during those hearings, the party’s stance in the province remains firmly in support of the constitutional amendment.
“Constitution Amendment Number 3 passed through Cabinet and Parliament and has now been gazetted. We have come here to inform each other that when we go back to our areas of jurisdiction, we must teach people about the bill. It is not just for the government; it is a resolution that we, as Zanu-PF, made at our conferences,” he said.
“We want to go and tell the people that this resolution you were asking for has now begun the implementation process and has been gazetted. Parliament will move around, talking more about this bill and seeking views from the people. Our views as Zanu-PF are those of supporting the bill because it is we who initiated this.”
Mavhenyengwa reminded ruling party members in the province that they were the originators of the 2030 agenda and assured them that they would ensure it receives full support.
Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Ezra Chadzamira, who also spoke during the PCC meeting, said the bill would improve political stability and ensure policy consistency.
He said the constitution was not a “bible” that cannot be changed; rather, according to the government’s progress, the constitution may evolve.
“With this bill, there will be political stability. As you know, whenever we have elections, there are cases of violence. Extending the time between elections will make our politics more stable and ensure policy consistency. You can see that our policies put in place by President Emmerson Mnangagwa—the TSP, NDS1, and NDS2—are progressing well, compared to if there were a new leader,” he said.
“This bill is not for the President; it is a bill for the people that will benefit the country. No constitution is immune to change; it is not a bible. Only the bible does not change. The constitution is changed based on the country’s progress.”
Zanu-PF Secretary for Security, Lovemore Matuke, said the constitution can be changed from time to time, when there is a need for change.
“There are issues concerning those who say the Constitution cannot be changed. The constitution was not carved in stone. The Constitution is our document, and from time to time, when we see that there is a need for adjustments, we, the people who made the Constitution, are the ones who shape it in the way we want to govern our country properly.
“There is nowhere on this earth where they do not change the constitution if they see there are certain aspects they need to change,’’ he said.