In brief
In Zimbabwe, the ruling party's proposed amendments to the constitution, which include scrapping presidential elections and extending presidential terms, have led to widespread opposition outcry and fears of a power grab. Veteran politicians warn of a 'slow coup' as public hearings show deep divisions among supporters and opponents of the changes. The proposal, defended by Zanu-PF officials, could potentially extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa's term to 2030.
Fears are growing in opposition circles in Zimbabwe that the ruling Zanu-PF party is making a new grab for power as it presses ahead with constitutional amendments aimed at giving parliament - rather than voters - the right to elect the president and to extend his term from five to seven years.
This is a coup, a slow coup that is unfolding in Zimbabwe, veteran opposition politician and former finance minister Tendai Biti told the BBC.
But Zanu-PF - in power since independence in 1980 - has vehemently defended the proposed changes.
There's nothing that stops us to change, to go to another system that's less costly, less controversial, party spokesman Patrick Chinamasa said.
The conflicting views highlight the deep polarisation that draft legislation - aimed at changing the constitution - has caused, pitting Zanu-PF and opposition supporters against each other.
This became clear during public hearings that parliament held recently to give people a chance to express their views on the proposed shake-up that will lead to:
- Presidential elections - held since 1990 - being scrapped
- Parliamentary and presidential terms being extended from five to seven years
- Parliamentary elections scheduled for 2028 being delayed to 2030
- President Emmerson Mnangagwa, whose second and final term is due to end in 2028, remaining in office until 2030
- The new parliament electing the next president.
I support the bill in its entirety, a woman said, at a public hearing in a sports arena in the capital, Harare, last week.
Thousands filled the venue, with speaker after speaker taking the microphone to echo calls for Mnangagwa to remain in office beyond 2028.
Mnangagwa took power in 2017 after ousting long-time ruler Robert Mugabe with the backing of the military - and went on to win disputed elections in 2018 and 2023.
But for critics, the bill is a step towards recreating the imperial presidency they fought to end during Mugabe's 37-year rule.
A new constitution adopted in 2013 restricted a president to serving a maximum of two terms, further stating that any move to extend term limits would need to be endorsed by voters in a referendum.
For the likes of Biti, the bill reverses these hard-fought gains, and could be challenged in the courts as, they argue, it violates the constitutional requirement that a referendum be held before the president's term is extended.
But Zanu-PF is confident that it is acting constitutionally, saying there is no need for a referendum as, in its view, the two-term limit remains - all that is happening is that a term will now be seven, rather than five years.
Critics fear that Zanu-PF - led by Mnangagwa - could be moving stealthily to scrap term-limits. If they can get away with two years what stops them from getting away with 20 years? Biti said.
For supporters of the 83-year-old president, the political overhaul will entrench democracy, ending what they regard as toxic presidential election campaigns that often trigger violence, and lead to results being disputed.
