Zimbabwe presidential term extension hearing becomes violent

A parliamentary public hearing on constitutional amendments to extend Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term turned violent in Harare on March 31st, according to the Associated Press on the same day.

The hearing took place at a sports complex in the capital, where lawmakers were collecting public input on the proposed changes.

It was disrupted by violence, including an attack on human rights lawyer Doug Coltart as he tried to leave the venue. His phone was taken and his glasses broken.

People shouting support for the proposed amendments pushed and slapped Coltart as he tried to exit. He was among the critics who walked out in protest, citing intimidation during the meeting.

The amendments would allow Mnangagwa to remain in power for two more years beyond his current term, which expires in 2028.

They would also shift the election of the president from a public vote to a parliamentary vote and extend the terms of both the president and lawmakers from 5 to 7 years.

Public hearings are being held nationwide as part of the legislative process before parliament votes on the bill, though the consultations are not binding.

Reports from several locations said critics were shouted down, heckled or prevented from speaking.

Tendai Biti, leader of the Constitutional Defenders Forum, said opponents of the amendments faced intimidation at multiple hearings.

Biti, a former finance minister, was released on bail last week after being detained for allegedly holding an unauthorised meeting against the proposals.

Earlier in March, another opposition figure was hospitalised after being beaten following a meeting on the proposed changes. He said the attackers were police officers, which authorities denied, stating the gathering had been banned.

Authorities have rejected accusations of suppressing dissent and said the reforms are being pursued within the law.

Mnangagwa has said he will step down at the end of his second term in 2028, but has not publicly opposed efforts by his ZANU-PF party to extend it.

The 83-year-old came to power in 2017 after the removal of long-time leader Robert Mugabe. He later won elections in 2018 and 2023, both of which were criticised by international rights groups.

Critics of the proposed changes say any extension of presidential terms should be approved through a national referendum.

Associated Press, Maghrebi.org