HARARE – Zanu PF legislator for Bikita South Energy Mutodi has confirmed authoring a leaked draft motion seeking to trigger amendments to the constitution to pave way for the controversial extension of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term of office and those of parliament and local government beyond 2028.
A copy of an unsigned motion originated by Mutodi and purportedly being seconded by CCC legislator for Mpopoma-Mzilikazi Charles Moyo went viral on social media on Tuesday.
The draft motion “calls upon the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs to bring before this House for its approval, a Constitutional Amendment Bill that seeks to amend Section 95(b) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe to allow the term of the President to be extended by any period not exceeding 5 years as shall be determined by Parliament”.
Mutodi’s motion also sought the enactment of a constitutional amendment bill “to allow Parliament with an overwhelming majority to decide or determine an additional period of time the President may continue to hold office at the expiry of his second term” and “to allow for the life of Parliament to be extended by such period Parliament may determine for the sake of economic development, peace building and the restructuring of government including addition and abolition of government posts.”
The draft motion has sparked criticism from a cross section of the Zimbabwean population which accuse the ruling elite of colluding to bastardise the constitution to advance Mnangagwa’s ambitions to stay in power.
In a statement on Wednesday, Mutodi, a long time ally to Mnangagwa, confirmed plans to bring the motion to parliament adding that the proposed motion has been “untimely leaked”.
“While we confirm authenticity of the proposed draft motion, we want to reiterate that until signed by its proponents and approved by the Honourable Speaker of parliament Advocate JFN Mudenda, it remains a draft and work in progress,” said the politician.
Mutodi said “due process would be followed in accordance with the standing rules and orders and the Constitution of Zimbabwe, leading to a properly approved motion”.
Meanwhile, Moyo has denied any involvement with Mutodi on the proposed motion, adding that its contents were “works of mischief makers who seek to create confusion and misrepresent my stance on important issues”.
“I want to make it explicitly clear that I have not discussed any motion with Dr, Energy Mutodi or with any individual for that matter. I have not been in communication with Dr Mutodi concerning this or any other issue,” Moyo said.
This comes after some opposition CCC MPs say they will not block any attempts by Zanu PF to seek extension of Mnangagwa’s term of office.
