President Mnangagwa has said he has no intention of running for a third term, stressing that there is “not a shred of evidence” that the ruling party, Zanu-PF, is pushing for something that violates the supreme law of the land.
He also said Zimbabwe was a constitutional democracy that adhered to the dictates of the law.
In an exclusive Q&A interview with Brick by Brick magazine editors Mnyaradzi Honi and Baffour Ankoma, President Mnangagwa noted that speculation that the Constitution would be amended to enable him to run for another term is misplaced.
“Well, I’m very happy because Zimbabweans have so much imagination,” he said.
“They can imagine anything, which shows there is democracy in the country, you see. But we in ZANU-PF are very democratic and obey the constitution.
“There is no evidence that ZANU-PF or I, as President, have expressed violations of our Constitution.
“But we allow people to dream right or wide. They will still wake up and find that things are going well and the Constitution has not changed.
With regard to the Constitution, extending presidential term limits would require amending Section 91 of the Supreme Law, which prohibits any person “to elect a President or appoint a Vice President if he has already served the office of President for two terms, whether continuous or not, and for the purposes of this subsection shall be deemed three.” Years or more of full-term service.”
The bill containing the amendment must be approved by a two-thirds majority in both the National Assembly and the Senate.
However, section 328(7) does not allow the incumbent to extend the period for which he may hold office.
“Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, an amendment to a maximum term requirement the effect of which is to extend the length of the period for which any person may hold or hold any public office shall not apply in relation to any person who has held or held such office, or An equivalent position, at any time before the amendment.
In fact, amending Article 91 to extend presidential term limits would only apply to future heads of state.
Article 328(7) can only be amended by referendum, as provided in Article 328(9) of the Constitution.
This latest interview is the second time that President Mnangagwa has publicly announced that he will not seek re-election.
In an interview with ZTN Prime on the eve of the coordinated elections last year, he said: “I will run for my second term… This is my last term.
I believe that my party in particular, ZANU-PF, embraces our vision that the stability of our country depends on us first and foremost; The modernization and industrialization of our country depends on ourselves.
“People from outside can only come and support our program.”
However, in an interview with “Brick by Brick”, the president said that in cases where governments intend to amend constitutions, due process must be followed.
He added: “The constitution is supposed to be drawn up by the people of the country.”
“Once you have made your own constitution, before you change it, you must abide by what it says.”
President Mnangagwa added that constitutions are changed “if you are not satisfied with what the constitution says.”
He continued: “The constitution does not create the country.”
“It is the country that makes the constitution. As long as your constitution serves you well, keep it.
If it is not in your favor, you must sit down and amend the provisions that no longer serve the country’s interests.
“We must be constitutional democracies, like ours.”
Regarding Zimbabwe’s assumption of the Chairmanship of the Southern African Development Community, the President said that he would prioritize regional food security and peace during his term.
He said the group’s broader agenda does not change with a new president taking office.
“When we assume the presidency, I think the most important item we have to deal with is food security.
“We want to see coordination and cooperation that ensures that SADC countries are food secure.”
He added that the CDG countries should share their experiences, technologies and agricultural production models to ensure regional food security.
“Secondly, the issue of security. Some members of the group are facing insecurity in their jurisdictions. So, we, all members of the group, have said that an attack on one of them is an attack on all of us.
“During our presidency of SADC, we will do our best to support member states facing insecurity and we will see how we can help.”
President Mnangagwa also said Zimbabwe’s bid for a seat on the UN Security Council has the support of both the African Development Community and the African Union.
We felt that it was time for one country in our region, the Southern African Community, to occupy this seat. We in the Southern African Development Community agreed that Zimbabwe must move forward. Whether we succeed or not, life goes on.
“We have full support in the Southern African Development Community, and we have full support in the African Union,” he said.
He also described the recent gradual easing of illegal sanctions imposed by the United States on the country as a non-event.
He added: “These sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe are illegal.”
“This is the position of the UN Security Council as well. Now the (Joe) Biden administration has proposed removing some of them and leaving some of them behind.
“We say no. In the first place, they are completely illegal. They must go entirely. We cannot feel improved by removing part of the illegality and leaving part of the illegality on us. The whole illegality must go.”
The president also called for dialogue to end the ongoing Israeli military offensive in Gaza. Sunday mail
