CHURCHES STAND UP TO MNANGAGWA’S THIRD TERM AGENDA

The Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHOCD) have spoken out strongly against the growing talk of changing the Constitution to allow President Emmerson Mnangagwa to remain in power beyond 2028. In a powerful statement, the Church called on the President to reject any such idea, saying that extending his term would be unconstitutional and harmful to Zimbabwe’s democracy.

The ZHOCD said it is wrong for Members of Parliament and political activists to push for the President’s term to be extended. They reminded the nation that the Constitution clearly limits a president to two terms, and breaking that rule would be an open betrayal of the law. By entertaining such proposals, the President would be complicit in undermining the very Constitution he swore to protect.

The Church’s message is both moral and political. It is a direct challenge to the whispers within ZANU PF that Mnangagwa should stay in power under the guise of “completing unfinished business.” The ZHOCD reminded everyone that Mnangagwa himself has publicly said he would not seek to extend his time in office. They expressed hope that he would keep his promise and honour his oath to uphold the Constitution.

According to the statement, the President’s previous assurances of stepping down after 2028 have helped to build trust in Zimbabwe’s fragile democracy. The Church said this trust is critical for peace, unity, and respect for the liberation struggle’s ideals. Any attempt to tamper with the Constitution, they warned, would destroy that trust and push the nation toward instability.

The ZHOCD also stressed that it is the Church’s duty to defend democracy and the rule of law. They said Zimbabwe must hold free, fair, and credible elections in 2028, where power changes hands peacefully. This, they argued, would show true leadership and help Zimbabwe regain confidence from its citizens and the international community.

The Church warned that extending presidential term limits would make citizens lose faith in elections altogether. That loss of trust could lead to anger, chaos, and division — exactly what the country cannot afford in a time of deep economic struggle. Zimbabwe, they said, needs peace and stability, not political games that protect individuals instead of the nation.

The ZHOCD’s message was not just directed at the President. They also called on Members of Parliament to fulfil their constitutional duty. MPs, they said, must ensure that the Constitution is followed and that no attempts to extend presidential power succeed. They urged them to remember that their loyalty should be to the people of Zimbabwe and to the Constitution, not to political interests or personal gain.

In their appeal, the Church also urged the government to strengthen electoral systems before 2028. They called for serious reforms that ensure transparency, fairness, and credibility. The Church said political parties must play their part too — by respecting the law and avoiding the temptation to manipulate it for power.

The ZHOCD ended their statement with a verse from Micah 6:8: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” It was a fitting reminder that moral leadership is about justice, humility, and mercy — not clinging to power.

Their message is simple but powerful: Zimbabwe must follow its Constitution, protect democracy, and put the people first. Extending the presidential term limit would betray everything the liberation struggle stood for. The Church’s call is a wake-up moment for all citizens — to defend the rule of law, demand free elections in 2028, and build a future based on justice, peace, and unity.