ZCTU SAYS NO TO MUTILATION OF THE NATIONAL CONSTITUTION AND EXTENSION OF TERM OF OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

For immediate release

PRESS RELEASE

RE: ZCTU SAYS NO TO MUTILATION OF THE NATIONAL CONSTITUTION AND EXTENSION OF TERM OF OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has noted with disgust and deep concern over the controversial and retrogressive Resolution Number 1 reportedly passed by ZANU PF at its annual conference, seeking to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term of office from 2028 to 2030.

The ZCTU categorically states that any attempt to butcher the Constitution for personal or partisan political gain is unacceptable and stands in direct violation of the principles of democracy, constitutionalism and respect for the rule of law, values for which many Zimbabweans have struggled and sacrificed for.

It is not in the interest of ordinary workers or citizens for the Constitution, the supreme law of the land, to be mutilated to serve selfish individual ambitions. Such actions risk plunging the nation into political instability and chaos, eroding confidence in governance systems and undermining production, investment, economic growth and job creation.

We believe that we have enough and capable personnel to take over the presidency of the country from both the ruling party Zanu PF and the opposition come 2028. No one is irreplaceable or immortal and we should avoid creating idols and demigods in the country. The presidency is sacrosanct and must not be adulterated through unholy constitutional departures fronted by cheerleaders and political vultures void of the interests of the grassroots.

Zimbabwe must not be allowed to join the leagues of Uganda, Rwanda, Ivory Coast, Burundi, Chad and Republic of Congo whose dictators’ insatiable quench for power resulted in the tempering of their Constitutions to enable continued rule by infamous leaders.

The ZCTU wishes to remind all stakeholders that the stability of a nation rests upon respect for its Constitution, and once this foundation is tampered with, the social, political, and economic consequences are dire and long-lasting.

Accordingly, the ZCTU will embark on broad consultations with workers, affiliated unions, and like-minded civic organisations to determine the appropriate form of collective action in defence of the Constitution. We are not short of solutions to defend the democratic turf and we are prepared to flood the streets if ZANU-PF remains stubborn on the dishonourable 2030 agenda.

As a matter of principle, the ZCTU will always stand on the side of democracy, constitutionalism, and the people of Zimbabwe. We reaffirm that the Constitution must remain the unshakeable framework guiding our nation’s governance, not a tool of political convenience.

Tirivanhu Marimo

SECRETARY GENERAL