Zimbabwe Needs Economic Renewal Not Term Extensions, Malema's EFF Condemns Constitutional Amendment Act 3
South Africa’s opposition Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has condemned the enactment of Zimbabwe’s Constitutional Amendment Act No.3, accusing ZANU PF of prioritising its grip on power over the welfare of citizens and betraying the ethos of the liberation struggle.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Tuesday signed Constitutional Amendment Act No. 3 into law after Parliament passed the contentious legislation despite fierce opposition from civil society, legal experts and opposition parties.
The new law extends the terms of office for the President, Members of Parliament and local authority councillors from five years to seven years, effectively postponing the next harmonised elections from 2028 to 2030.
In a statement, the EFF said the amendment represented a worrying shift away from democratic accountability.
“The liberation of Zimbabwe from settler colonialism remains one of the greatest victories in the history of Africa, and the sacrifices made by countless freedom fighters can never be erased or diminished.
“However, no liberation movement acquires a permanent entitlement to govern simply because of its historic role in defeating colonialism. The legitimacy won on the battlefield must continually be renewed through the democratic consent of the people.
“For decades, ZANU-PF has increasingly behaved as though the people of Zimbabwe owe it perpetual political loyalty because it was the movement that led the liberation struggle.
“This dangerous mentality has transformed a liberation movement into an establishment that appears more concerned with preserving its hold on power than responding to the daily struggles of ordinary Zimbabweans,” the party said.
Mnangagwa assented to the legislation despite previously insisting he had no intention of extending his stay in office beyond the expiry of his current term in 2028.
Opposition parties and civic organisations had repeatedly called for the proposed constitutional changes to be subjected to a national referendum, but those appeals were ignored.
The EFF said extending a presidential mandate through constitutional amendments rather than elections undermined democratic principles.
“This is uncalled for. The extension of a presidential mandate through constitutional amendment, rather than through the freely expressed will of the people at the ballot box, represents a deeply disappointing development.
“It creates the perception that constitutional instruments are being manipulated to entrench political power instead of strengthening democratic accountability.
“The EFF believes that the people of Zimbabwe cannot be held hostage indefinitely by a governing party. True revolutionaries understand that political power belongs to the people and that leadership is exercised on their behalf, not over them.
“Any government that fears returning to the people for a fresh democratic mandate is one that is certain it has lost the will of the people and should face the consequences or commit to better leadership,” the statement added.
The South African opposition party urged the Zimbabwean government to focus on tackling the country’s economic crisis and improving governance instead of extending political terms.
“The EFF therefore calls upon the Government of Zimbabwe to place the needs of its people above the political interests of those in power. Zimbabwe requires urgent economic renewal, accountable governance, functioning public institutions, and leadership committed to restoring hope to its citizens rather than extending presidential terms,” the party said. NewZW
Govt Gazettes Medical Services Act
Government has gazetted amendments to the Medical Services Act that compel private health institutions to admit and stabilise patients with life-threatening emergencies for at least 48 hours, regardless of their ability to pay
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Permanent secretary, Nick Mangwana, said the amendment marked a significant milestone in protecting the constitutional right to emergency medical treatment.
“The amendment to the Medical Services Act introduces a binding emergency treatment obligation. Private health institutions must now admit any patient with a life-threatening emergency for at least 48 hours to stabilise them before transfer, even if the patient cannot afford care,” Mangwana said.
He added that the legislation also creates a framework for collaboration between public and private healthcare providers during emergencies.
“The minister may also request private facilities to provide specialist services for public emergency patients during public crises. Cost-recovery agreements can be made with the State or patients,” he said.
Mangwana noted that the law contains strict penalties for non-compliance to ensure that emergency patients are not denied treatment because of financial constraints.
“Heads of private institutions, or practitioners acting without authority, who refuse such emergency admission face fines of up to level 8 or imprisonment for up to one year. This provision effectively bars private facilities from turning away critical emergency cases based solely on inability to pay,” he said.
The amendments, which have now been gazetted, introduce a legally binding obligation on private healthcare facilities to provide emergency treatment before any transfer to another institution. NewsDay
Constitutional Amendment Marks New Era for Zimbabwe: Gvt
The government has described the enactment of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Act No. 3 of 2026 as a landmark reform that ushers in a new constitutional era saying the changes are designed to strengthen governance, improve policy continuity and support the country’s long-term development agenda.
In a statement issued following President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s assent to the legislation, the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Zhemu Soda said the constitutional amendments represented a national achievement rather than the success of any individual or political party.
“His Excellency President E.D. Mnangagwa has assented to the Constitutional Amendment Bill Number 3, which has now been gazetted into law. Constitutional Amendment Act Number 3 of 2026 is a milestone that ushers in a new constitutional dispensation for our beloved country – Zimbabwe,” Dr Soda said.
He said the reforms reflected the views expressed by Zimbabweans during the constitutional amendment process.
“This achievement belongs not to any one individual, party, or institution. It belongs to the people of this great nation. Zimbabwean citizens raised their voices in unison, shaping the destiny of our nation,” he said.
According to the minister, Parliament received 540 037 written submissions while 67 688 submissions were made during public hearings held across the country.
Dr Soda said 537 102 written submissions supported the Bill, compared with 2 935 that opposed it, while 67 302 people backed the proposed amendments during public hearings, compared with 386 who were against them.
He described the process as one of the most extensive constitutional reform exercises undertaken in Zimbabwe.
The minister also highlighted the parliamentary vote that approved the amendments, saying the Bill secured the constitutionally required two-thirds majority.
According to the statement, 216 Members of the National Assembly voted in favour of the Bill against 42 opposed while the Senate approved it by 75 votes to four.
Parliament later adopted the Senate amendments by 226 votes to 41, figures the minister said demonstrated broad legislative support for the reforms.
Dr Soda said the amendments were intended to create a stronger governance framework by addressing electoral cycles and reinforcing state institutions.
“Constitutional Amendment Act No.3 (CAA3) is more than an amendment; it is a milestone representing our collective resolve to create a more coherent governance framework by addressing electoral cycles, strengthening our institutions, and improving policy continuity.”
He added that the constitutional reform process had involved public consultations, parliamentary debate and committee scrutiny, which he said had been conducted in a lawful and inclusive manner.
The minister called on Zimbabweans to focus on national development following the enactment of the legislation.
“Let us now continue in unity and focus on the task before us: building a prosperous, peaceful, and united Zimbabwe. Let us honour the trust that the people have placed in their institutions by working tirelessly to improve the lives of all Zimbabweans. CAA3 is not an end; it is a beginning. It is the foundation upon which we will build a brighter future for generations to come,” he said.
The constitutional amendments introduce sweeping changes to Zimbabwe’s governance framework, including extending presidential and parliamentary terms from five to seven years, replacing direct presidential elections with elections by Parliament, and restructuring several constitutional institutions.
The reforms have generated significant political debate, with supporters arguing they will provide policy stability while critics contend, they alter key democratic provisions of the 2013 Constitution. 263chat
Zimbabwe Prosecuted 53 High-profile Corruption Cases, Recovered US$51.2 Million in Criminal Assets in 2025
THE National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) says it completed 53 high-profile corruption and economic crime cases in 2025, achieving a 77.94% case clearance rate.
Deputy Prosecutor General Chris Mutangadura said the cases were handled by the NPA’s Economic Crimes and Anti-Corruption Unit, a specialised division established to prosecute corruption, complex financial crimes, money laundering and other economic offences.
Speaking at the Integrity and Accountability Summit, Mutangadura said the unit received 68 corruption and economic crime cases during the year, with 53 completed while the remainder progressed through different stages of the judicial process.
“The Unit received 68 corruption and economic crime cases during the year. Of these, 53 high-profile cases were completed, while the remainder progressed through various stages of the judicial process, including matters awaiting judgment, under legal review and at defence stage.
“This translated into a commendable 77.94 percent case clearance rate.
He said the outstanding cases were at various stages, including awaiting judgment, under legal review and at the defence stage.
Mutangadura said the figures represented more than just statistics, arguing that successful prosecutions helped protect public resources and strengthen accountability.
“Behind every successfully prosecuted corruption case lies public money protected, public confidence restored and constitutional accountability reinforced,” he said.
Mutangadura said the fight against corruption had also moved beyond securing convictions, with authorities now focusing on recovering proceeds obtained through criminal activities.
To support this effort, the NPA established the Asset Forfeiture and International Cooperation Unit, which is responsible for preserving and recovering assets linked to crime, as well as coordinating extraditions and mutual legal assistance with other countries.
He said the unit secured preservation and forfeiture orders worth US$51.2 million in 2025.
“During 2025 alone, the Unit secured preservation and forfeiture orders amounting to USD 51.2 million, comprising preservation orders valued at USD 18.9 million and forfeiture orders amounting to USD 32.3 million.” NewZW
Drug & Cybercrime Surge Fuels Court Backlog as JSC Steps Up Recruitment
A growing number of drug-related and cybercrime cases is piling pressure on Zimbabwe’s magistrates’ courts, prompting the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to intensify recruitment and decentralise court services to tackle the backlog.
Chief magistrate Vongai Guwuriro Muchuchuti told journalists at the swearing-in ceremony of 25 magistrates in Harare on Monday that the changing nature of crime has significantly increased the workload facing magistrates across the country, saying the backlog was “also influenced by what is happening in the country.”
“We are receiving a significant number of drug-related cases, as well as many cases involving digital crimes,” she said. “We must therefore be prepared to deal with these emerging offences.”
Muchuchuti said the JSC was implementing several measures to reduce delays in the justice system, describing the swearing-in and capacitation of additional magistrates as “one of the measures the Commission is taking to address the backlog,” alongside the decentralisation of courts as “another key intervention.”
Authorities were also establishing mobile courts to improve access to justice in busy urban areas, she added.
“These are some of the measures the Judicial Service Commission is putting in place to deal with the case backlog so that we can effectively manage the workload coming before our courts and ensure that we are ready to adjudicate all cases brought before us,” she said.
The latest remarks come months after the JSC swore in 17 new magistrates in March as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s judicial capacity. At the time, Muchuchuti said the new magistrates would be deployed across Zimbabwe to ease mounting pressure on the courts, telling reporters they would go “to various stations throughout the country” as the JSC continued “to capacitate our courts in terms of recruiting more magistrates so that it can balance with the workload which is there.”
Zimbabwe had about 268 magistrates in March against a required establishment of 300. Zimlive
It's Just My Passion, It's Not World Cup Prophecy: Java
CONTROVERSIAL preacher, Passion Java, has denied making prophecies on the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup saying his social media posts are just mere updates by a football lover, not a prophecy.
Java has been under the social media spotlight after a Facebook post, which ‘predicted’ a Portugal victory over Spain, but was deleted soon after the match as the European champions snatched a late 1-0 win over the Portuguese.
The understanding was that Java had posted a prophecy and felt embarrassed when the result was the opposite.
With social media saying he was now abusing his prophetic gift and misleading some of his followers into betting, Java’s church responded yesterday in an exclusive to H-Metro.
Java’s Facebook page has 1.4 million followers and he says he has been preaching and prophesying since 2002 with his message being carried in 80 countries.
“If you check on his Facebook page, he will just be updating as the matches go on and this is what most football fans are doing all over the world.
“That’s why he does not make any reference to the Lord.
“So, it is very unfortunate that some people are taking those fan updates as prophecy. If you go through his page, you will realise he posts about both church and social issues,” said his church in a short response.
A number of prophets have been on Facebook posting about the World Cup with many critics questioning why the clips of these match predictions only emerge when a result is known.
Critics suggest that there is a lot of editing that goes on after matches so that videos, suggesting correct “prophecies,” flood the social media platforms as a way of recruiting followers.
A Zambian preacher, known as Ecclesiastes MJ Emmanuel, said the trend of church leaders prophesying on football matches was largely influenced by chasing attention and fame.
“There is a dangerous trend rising in the body of Christ. Now that prophesying concerning football has become fashionable, many people who claim to be prophets have entered this space, not because God spoke to them, not because they heard from the Spirit, but because they are chasing attention, relevance, and fame.
‘‘They watch those who are known for making predictions, they follow their words, and then they copy, repeat, and present borrowed revelations as if God personally revealed them to them.
“The Lord does not take this lightly. God calls such people thieves, and He says, ‘I am against the prophets that steal my words.’
Apostle Emmanuel added:
‘‘Some of these people were genuinely called to be pastors, teachers, or evangelists, but because of the desire for recognition, they have abandoned their assignment and forced themselves into the prophetic office.
“They think being known as a prophet is more powerful than faithfully serving God in their actual calling.
‘‘The danger is this: when you steal another man’s prophecy and that prophecy fails, you inherit the shame of what you did not hear from God. You attach your name, your ministry, and your credibility to a word that God never gave you.
‘The same people who celebrated you will question your authenticity when the borrowed prophecy collapses.
‘‘Stop building your ministry around football prophecies.
‘‘Leave predictions to those who specialise in them. Your calling is bigger than trying to prove that you can predict outcomes. You don’t need to announce a prophecy every time there is a major event to prove that you are a prophet.”
Apostle Emmanuel says church leaders should not be putting themselves under unnecessary pressure over World Cup predictions.
“Like Moses, you can teach people, serve God’s purpose, go home, drink water, rest, and sleep peacefully without carrying the burden of trying to force a prophecy to come to pass.
‘‘Let this World Cup season be a serious lesson: God does not need you to fake accuracy. He needs you to walk in truth. Do not steal God’s words. Hear from God. Speak only what He has given you.” Herald
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