What the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Number 3 Bill means for democracy
Posted: 19 June, 2026 Filed under: Nqobani Nyathi | Tags: 2008 elections, Amendment Number 3 Bill, changing term limits, Constitution of Zimbabwe, Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Number 3 Bill, democracy, five years, gender equality, good governance, Government of National Unity, human rights, human rights violations, rule of law, transparency, violence, ZANU-PF, Zimbabwe Leave a comment
Author: Nqobani Nyathi
Lawyer
Introduction
In 2013, Zimbabweans voted overwhelmingly for a new Constitution. Drafted during the Government of National Unity after the violence and massive human rights violations that followed the 2008 elections, it marked a national attempt to break from the past.
The Constitution of Zimbabwe is anchored in clear values. These include the rule of law, human rights, gender equality, transparency and good governance. Above all, it affirms that authority to govern derives from the people of Zimbabwe. For the third time, that founding vision is under threat.
Where is democracy? Reflections on the ascendancy of Mnangagwa as president of Zimbabwe
Posted: 27 November, 2017 Filed under: Charles Ngwena | Tags: Ayi Kwei Armah, constitution, coup, democracy, dictatorship, elections, Emmerson Mnangagwa, ethnic cleansing, Gukurahundi, Matebeleland, military, military intervention, national army, political change, Robert Mugabe, white minority rule, ZANU-PF, Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Defence Force 3 Comments
Author: Charles Ngwena
Professor of Law, Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria
What seemed unimaginable has happened. After an uninterrupted ‘reign’ of 37 years, Robert Mugabe, the de facto emperor of Zimbabwe, has ‘resigned’ from office. There has been genuine jubilation not least among those who have been at the receiving end of Mugabe’s increasingly despotic, corrupt and dysfunctional governance – the majority of Zimbabweans. Emmerson Mnangagwa has taken office as Mugabe’s successor. It is a historic moment. Since attaining independence in 1980, Zimbabweans have only known Mugabe as their political supremo – initially as prime minister and latterly as president. The fact of Mugabe’s departure from office, alone, has raised hopes that we might be at the cusp of a compassionate, fairer, humane and democratic Second Republic. At the same time, the clouds are pregnant with contradictions, counselling us not to throw caution aside even as we pine for change. Why is this?
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