Bikita South MP Energy Mutodi (ZANU PF) has confirmed the authenticity of a leaked draft Constitution Bill that is being worked on for introduction to Parliament.
The controversial draft bill seeks to use parliament to amend the constitution and postpone the 2028 general elections by up to five years, that is, up to 2033.
The bill seeks to extend Mnangagwa’s rule by two years beyond his current second term constitutional limit, which is set to expire in 2028.
In a statement, Mutodi acknowledged the leaked document and said it remains a draft that is still being developed. He said:
<blockquote>
It has come to our attention that a proposed motion on Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government term limits has been untimely leaked to the media.
While we confirm authenticity of the contents 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.
We understand the leak due to a number of online exchanges between Honourable Members of the draft motion in its formative stages.
However, on my own behalf and on behalf of the interested Honourable Members, I wish to categorically state that due process will be followed in accordance with the Standing Rules and Orders and the Constitution of Zimbabwe, leading to a properly approved motion.
</blockquote>
Below is the leaked document that Mutodi confirmed to be authentic:
<blockquote>
<h2>Motion on Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government Term Limits</h2>
NOTING that Section 95(2)(b)of the Constitution of Zimbabwe provides for a term of the President to be five (5)years running alongside the life of Parliament;
NOTING that Section 91(2) of the constitution of Zimbabwe sets only two (2) terms for the President to hold office in Zimbabwe;
NOTING that Section 143(1)and Section 277(1)(a) set a five-year term for the life of Parliament  and LocalAuthority Representatives respectively which run concurrently with the term of the president;
FURTHER noting that Section328(7) of the Constitution creates disability for elected officials of the government to benefit from term limit extensions;
AND further noting that Section 328(6)(a) and (8) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe requires that a referendum be held for Constitutional amendments affecting term limits and that separate referendums be held for amendments to Sections 328(6) and (7);
CONCERNED that the aforementioned constitutional provisions do not meet the current aspirations of the people of Zimbabwe who would like to see the current national development trajectory continue under the leadership of His Excellency PresidentEmmerson DambudzoMnangagwa;
FURTHER concerned that the Zimbabwe political landscape has been plagued by toxicity and polarization, which call for a comprehensive electoral reform process, dialogue and consensus by all the people of Zimbabwe;
RECOGNIZING efforts made by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to engage with all political players through the Political Actors Dialogue (POLAD), Churches and other interested parties in charting a development-oriented, peaceful and prosperous nation of Zimbabwe in addition to His Excellency’s inspirational philosophy “NYIKAINOVAKWANEVENE VAYO”;
CONSIDERING that political leaders from across the political divide represented in Parliament agree that now is the time to heal, unite and create a formidable foundation for our democracy.
NOW THEREFORE calls upon the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs to bring before this House for its approval, a ConstitutionalAmendment Bill that seeks to amend:
(a) 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.
(b) Section 91(2) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe 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 or her second term.
(c) Section 143 (1) and 158(1)(a) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe to allow for the life of Parliament to be extended by such period Parliament may determine for the sake of economic development, peacebuilding and the restructuring of government including addition and abolition of government posts.
(d) Section 328 (7) to remove any disability to continue to hold office the Constitution has cast upon office bearers in elected positions whenever a term extension is introduced.
MOVER OF MOTION……………………………………HON DR. ENERGY MUTODI (MP)
SECONDED BY……………………………………………….HON CHARLES MOYO (MP)
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

A draft bill has been leaked that might delay elections in Zimbabwe from 2028 to 2033. This could give President Mnangagwa extra years in power. The bill is still being worked on, but some members of parliament have confirmed its contents. The bill aims to change the constitution to extend the president's term and postpone elections. It has caused concern among the people of Zimbabwe. The bill is not final yet and needs approval before becoming law. Discussions and debates are ongoing about this proposed change.

Mutodi Confirms Leaked Draft Constitutional Bill To Move 2028 Elections To 2033

Bikita South Member of Parliament, Energy Mutodi, has proposed a monthly child support payment of US$30 in response to a maintenance claim filed by his ex-wife at the Masvingo Civil Courts.
As reported by <a href="https://tellzim.com/mp-mutodi-pleads-to-pay-30-maintenance-as-ex-wife-demands-1-5k/">TellZim News</a>, Mutodi’s ex-wife had requested US$1,500 per month for their six-month-old child, but Mutodi argued that his income was too low to meet that amount and that he could only afford US$30.
Mutodi, a businessman and lawyer who was previously a Deputy Minister, is also involved in land development.
After reviewing the arguments from both sides, Masvingo Magistrate Isaac Chikura ordered Mutodi to pay US$80 per month for child support, as the child’s mother, Polite Dhiyo, did not provide sufficient evidence to justify her request for US$1,500.
Dhiyo, who claimed she was married to Mutodi under customary law before their divorce, stated that the child was conceived and born during their marriage and that Mutodi had not provided financial support since the child’s birth.
In his defence, Mutodi, represented by lawyer Collen Maboke, explained that he had a low income and was supporting seven other children, including one enrolled at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST).
He also argued that his monthly income had averaged US$40 in the past five months after deductions, which was significantly lower than the amount Dhiyo had requested.
Mutodi further explained that he had financial obligations to another wife and justified his US$30 offer based on these circumstances.
He also provided proof to the court that he was paying for the child’s school fees, as the child is enrolled in a crèche.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Energy Mutodi and his ex-wife are fighting about child support. His ex-wife wants $1500 a month but Mutodi says he can only afford $30. The court decided Mutodi should pay $80 a month. Mutodi says he has a low income and supports many children. His ex-wife claims they were married traditionally. Mutodi says he pays for the child's school fees. The court agreed with Mutodi's $80 offer.

Energy Mutodi Offers US$30 For Child Maintenance, Ex-Wife Demands US$1 500

Bikita South MP, <a href="https://pindula.co.zw/Energy_Mutodi">Energy Mutodi</a> (ZANU PF) has moved a motion asking Parliament to send a team of parliamentarians to the United States of America to request Congress to remove sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe over two decades ago.
The United States imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe through the enactment of the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act (ZIDERA) back in 2001 alleging rampant rights abuses and poll fraud under late former President Robert Mugabe’s government.
The measures were imposed after the Mugabe administration embarked on a controversial land reform programme characterised by violence targeted at white farmers.
The sanctions include a travel ban on targeted Zimbabwean authorities, among them security chiefs, businessman Kuda Tagwirei and former State Security Minister Owen Ncube, coupled with a trade embargo between US and local firms.
As reported by <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/mutodi-pushes-zimbabwe-mps-visit-to-us-to-lobby-sanctions-removal/">ZimLive</a>, Mutodi said a high-powered delegation comprising legislators would put weight behind the call for sanctions removal.
Mutodi made the call while supporting his motion in parliament on Thursday last week. He said:
<blockquote>
Now, therefore, resolves that a delegation from Zimbabwe Parliament be sent to the United States of America to present a briefing paper to the President of the United States of America and Congress requesting their administration to expeditiously and unconditionally repeal ZIDERA which has caused so much suffering to ordinary citizens of our country;
The delegation engages the United States of America Congress to lift the unwarranted and illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe; Zimbabwe presents its case to the United Nations by the end of December 2024 so that these illegal sanctions imposed on our country are unconditionally lifted once and for all; and The United States of America Government to engage with the Zimbabwean government on terms that promote mutual benefit through economic and political cooperation, put and agreed to.
I have no doubt that the presence of the high-powered delegation from the Parliament of Zimbabwe will be of great impact as it will allow the inauguration or commencement of effective engagement between the Parliament of Zimbabwe and Congress.
</blockquote>
The ZANU PF-led Government continues to blame the country’s economic challenges on sanctions imposed by the US and its European allies.
The Government claim the sanctions have caused Zimbabwe over US$100 billion in terms of economic losses since they were imposed.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Mutodi Wants Zimbabwean MPs To Visit U.S. To Lobby For Sanctions Removal

Professor Steve Hanke, an economist, has mocked Energy Mutodi, Deputy Minister of Information, Publicity &amp; Broadcasting Services over his price control utterances. Mutodi had indicated in his Independence message via his twitter account that price controls were the panacea to Zimbabwean issues.
Below is a chat the duo had on twitter:
https://twitter.com/steve_hanke/status/1118893938063171584
Commodity prices have been on the rise over the past 24 months. Some attribute the rise to the scarcity of foreign currency a scenario which is credited for fuel shortages and scarcity of several other basic commodities.
<h3>Related:</h3>
<ul>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2019/03/12/price-controls-dont-work-minister-ndlovu/" rel="bookmark">Price Controls Don’t Work – Minister Ndlovu</a></li>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2019/04/18/mnangagwa-tells-business-not-to-invite-price-controls/" rel="bookmark">Mnangagwa Tells Business Not To ‘Invite’ Price Controls</a></li>
</ul>

Economic Expert, Steve Hanke Mocks Mutodi Over Price Controls

The Member of Parliament for Goromonzi West Constituency and Deputy Minister for Information and Publicity, Energy Mutodi says that MDC’s late founding president’s children should take over the party leadership.
Mutodi’s comments follow the recent victory of an opposition party in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The election officials in the DRC declared Félix Tshisekedi to be the winner against the incumbent, Joseph Kabila. Felix Tshisekedi is the son of the late veteran opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi.
Mutodi said that Tsvangirai’s children will have a better chance of winning compared to Chamisa whom he said is arrogant. Mutodi had this to say:
<blockquote>With the DRC election commission declaring Félix Tshisekedi as President-Elect of Congo, it’s high time Tsvangirai’s children take over the MDC, the party of their father. They stand a better chance. NC can never win an election, not even unity talks because of his arrogance.</blockquote>
According to BBC.com, Etienne Tshisekedi founded the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (known by its French initials UDPS) in 1982, and was a feared rival of dictator Mobutu Sese Seko, who died months after being ousted in 1997, and later of Presidents Laurent and Joseph Kabila.
<h2>Related:</h2>
<ul>
<li>
<h3><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/chamisa-is-the-problem-his-biggest-mistake-is-ego-herald-editor/">Chamisa Is The Problem, His Biggest Mistake Is Ego – Herald Editor</a></h3>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>More: <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-46507814">BBC News</a></h3>

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