The Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHOCD) is concerned about the recent pronouncements by some Members of Parliament and Political activists urging His Excellence the President of Zimbabwe Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa to extend his term of office beyond 2028. The ZHOCD prayerfully urges His Excellency the President of Zimbabwe, Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa to resist the calls and the temptation by those calling for the extension of the Presidential Term Limits for the greater good of the country. 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.
The ZHOCD wishes to reiterate commitment to promoting democratic values, entrenching constitutionalism, and the rule of law in Zimbabwe. As the Church, we encourage the President to adhere to the constitutional term limits, and to support a peaceful transition of power in the year 2028 following free, fair and credible elections. The proposal to extend presidential term limits may irretrievably erode public trust in the electoral processes in Zimbabwe and would destabilise the country at a time when unity and peace are most needed for our economic and social transformation.
As the Church, we emphasize the importance of implementing electoral reforms and ensuring regular free and fair elections to ensure accountability, transparency and the peaceful transfer of power. We urge the Government to adhere to the electoral timelines as stipulated in the Constitution and ensure that all elections are conducted in a transparent, credible, and peaceful manner.
In light of the above, we urge:
- The President to uphold the Constitution and respect the Presidential Term Limits ensuring that elections are held in 2028 and that he supports a smooth power transition in 2028,
- All Zimbabweans to clearly pronounce themselves in support of the call to put Zimbabwe first and uphold the Constitution of the Country.
- The Government to implement electoral reforms and promote multi-party democracy as we build towards the 2028 elections,
- Members of Parliament to ensure that they contribute to the entrenchment of Constitutionalism, and play their oversight role for the Executive to uphold, respect and defend the Constitution by adhering to the Presidential term limits.
- All political parties to observe and adhere to the Constitution and Law of Zimbabwe.
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To
act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8 (NIV)
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By order of the Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHOCD) Bishops
About ZHOCD: The Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHOCD) is an Ecumenical body that brings together four Apex ecumenical bodies in Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC), Evangelical Fellowship in Zimbabwe (EFZ), Zimbabwe Catholic Bishop’s Conference (ZCBC) and Union for the Development of Apostolic Churches in Zimbabwe Africa (UDACIZA)