Information Minister Jenfan Muswere said extending President Mnangagwa’s term beyond 2028 is a rightful obligation for Parliament and other stakeholders.
In a statement on Wednesday, 22 January, Muswere criticized the Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHOCD) for opposing the Presidential Term Limit Extension.
On Tuesday, the ZHOCD warned that extending Mnangagwa’s term would amount to a coup against the constitution.
Muswere claimed ZHOCD consists of donor-funded individuals pretending to represent the Church in Zimbabwe.
He reminded Christian leaders that ZANU PF is the political establishment that delivered freedom of expression and religion. The statement reads:
<blockquote>
The politically broad-based call to extend the Presidential term of office beyond 2028 remains a rightful and unquestionable obligation for Parliament, the Party of Zimbabwe’s permanent national democratic revolution -ZANU PF and other legitimate political stakeholders to this matter.
Parliamentarians from the cross-sectional divide of political parties represent the views and interests of their electorate.
Submissions by Honourable Members of Parliament reflect the aspirations of those who voted the constituencies they were elected to serve.
The Parliament is not answerable to narrow, sectoral and regime- change donor funding antics by a paltry conglomerate of civil society entrepreneurs purporting to represent the views of the Church in Zimbabwe.
In the same vein, such Western donor organisations need not to be reminded that ZANU PF is a political establishment which delivered freedom of expression and freedom of religion among many other rights we all enjoy today.
Likewise, the ZANU PF-led Government still ferociously defends freedom of worship for all Zimbabweans most of which are not affiliated to the Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHCD) outfit.
However, it is crucial for ZANU PF’s godly existential values not to be abused by minority entities and individuals bent on misrepresenting the cordial relationship which the state and the church enjoy.
The proposal to move a motion on the Presidential Term Limit Extension will follow the provisions of the law.
It must be emphasized that the Constitution will remain centrifugal throughout this process with no iota of infractions.
</blockquote>

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The Minister of Information, Jenfan Muswere, says it's important for President Mnangagwa's rule to be extended beyond 2028. He criticized church leaders for speaking out against this. The church leaders warned that extending the term would go against the law. Muswere thinks the church leaders are influenced by donors and don't represent the true feelings of Zimbabweans. He says that ZANU PF, the ruling party, has given people the freedom to speak and practice their religion. The decision to extend the president's term will follow the law and the Constitution will be respected.

Muswere Castigates Church Leaders For Opposing The Extension Of Mnangagwa's Term

The Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHOCD) has raised concerns over recent comments by some Members of Parliament and political activists calling for President Emmerson Mnangagwa to extend his term beyond 2028.
The ZHOCD warned that such actions would amount to a coup against the constitution.
In a statement released on Tuesday, January 21, the ZHOCD urged Mnangagwa to resist these calls and the temptation to extend presidential term limits, saying doing so would not serve the best interests of the country. The statement reads in part:
<blockquote>
The call to extend the Presidential Term Limits and postpone the 2028 elections is an invitation for the President to be a coconspirator in overthrowing the Constitution of the Country which the President is elected to uphold, respect and defend.
The Church takes relief from the consistent remarks made by His Excellency on several occasions where he has repeatedly affirmed his commitment to uphold the Constitution of Zimbabwe by committing not to extend his Presidency beyond the Constitutional and legal limits.
The President’s pronouncements have always been clear and a significant step towards reinforcing the gains of the liberation struggle, good governance, democratic norms and promoting national peace and unity.
We believe His Excellency intends to remain true to his oath to uphold, defend and respect both the Constitution and the Law in letter and spirit.
</blockquote>
The ZHOCD reiterated its call for President Mnangagwa to uphold the constitutional term limits and support a peaceful transition of power in 2028, following free, fair, and credible elections.
The group warned that the proposal to extend presidential term limits could severely undermine public trust in Zimbabwe’s electoral processes and destabilize the country, especially at a time when unity and peace are crucial for economic and social transformation.
In response to these concerns, the ZHOCD urged the President to respect the Constitution and ensure that elections are held in 2028, facilitating a smooth transition of power.
The ZHOCD also called on all Zimbabweans to unite in support of the country’s constitutional integrity and prioritize the nation’s well-being.
Further, the group called for the Government to implement necessary electoral reforms and promote multi-party democracy in preparation for the 2028 elections.
The churches urged Members of Parliament to strengthen constitutionalism by fulfilling their oversight role, ensuring that the Executive respects and defends the Constitution, including adherence to presidential term limits.
The ZHOCD also urged all political parties to commit to upholding the Constitution and laws of Zimbabwe.

Christian leaders in Zimbabwe are worried that some people want the President to stay in power longer than allowed by the Constitution. They say this would be like a coup against the rules of the country. The leaders want the President to stick to the rules and not extend his term. They say it's important for the country to have fair elections in 2028 and for power to transition peacefully. They are asking everyone in Zimbabwe to support the Constitution and work together for the good of the nation. The leaders are also calling for electoral reforms and for politicians to uphold the laws of the country.

Christian Leaders Warn Mnangagwa Term Extension Would Be A Constitutional Coup

The Heads of Christian Denominations in Zimbabwe (ZHOCD) have welcomed the recent statement made by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, affirming his commitment to uphold the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
ZHOCD is an umbrella body that comprises prominent Christian organizations, including the Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe (EFZ), the Union for Development of Apostolic Churches in Zimbabwe Africa (UDACIZA), the Zimbabwe Catholics Bishops Conference (ZCBC), and the Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC).
In his address at the commissioning of the Mutare Teachers College’s fruit juice and water processing plant on July 4, 2024, President Mnangagwa pledged not to seek a third term in office, thereby reaffirming his respect for the constitutional mandate that limits the presidential term to two terms.
In a statement, ZHOCD praised President Mnangagwa’s public commitment, saying by refusing to extend his presidency beyond the legal limits, he has taken a significant step towards reinforcing democratic norms and promoting national unity in Zimbabwe. It said:
<blockquote>
Therefore, the Church calls upon all Zimbabweans to honour the President’s decision and to support him in the completion of his constitutional term. It also calls upon all Zimbabweans to embrace a spirit of peaceful and transparent leadership renewal. It is imperative that the process remains free from intimidation, violence, and manipulation to ensure national stability and the consolidation of our democracy.
</blockquote>
Despite Mnangagwa’s public commitment to respect the constitutional two-term limit, some ZANU PF structures have since called for the President to continue in office beyond his current term, which is set to end in 2028.
However, even if there were to be a constitutional amendment to remove the term limits, the incumbent president would not be able to benefit from such a change.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The Churches in Zimbabwe are happy that the President said he won't try to be president for a third time. They think it's important to follow the rules and have peaceful leadership changes. The President's term is supposed to end in 2028, and even if they change the rules, he can't stay in power. The Churches want everyone to support the President and have a fair and peaceful process for choosing the next leader. They think it's important for the country to stay stable and democratic.

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