The Constitutional Court has dismissed an application by six liberation war veterans challenging President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s involvement in processes leading to Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3), which proposes major changes to Zimbabwe’s constitutional framework.
A seven-member bench led by Chief Justice Elizabeth Gwaunza unanimously struck the matter off the roll, with the judgment delivered by Justice Bharat Patel in the case of Reuben Zulu and Five Others v President of Zimbabwe.
The application was filed in February 2026 by war veterans Reuben Zulu, Godfrey Gurira, Shoorai Nyamangodo, Joseph Chinyangare, Digmore Knowledge Ndiya and Joseph Chinguwa.
Prepared by constitutional law expert Lovemore Madhuku, the application sought to stop Mnangagwa from advancing Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3, arguing that his participation in Cabinet deliberations relating to the proposed reforms was unconstitutional.
The applicants alleged that Mnangagwa breached Section 90 of the Constitution, which requires the President to uphold and defend the Constitution and avoid situations where personal interests conflict with public duties. They also argued that his conduct violated Section 196(2), which requires political leaders and public officials to exercise their functions in a manner that promotes public confidence and prevents abuse of office.
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The challenge was centred on Cabinet discussions held on February 10, during which the President chaired deliberations that approved the draft bill. The war veterans argued that Mnangagwa stood to benefit from some of the proposed changes, particularly provisions relating to presidential tenure.
Among the proposals contained in CAB3 are amendments to extend presidential terms from five years to seven years and to introduce a system in which Parliament elects the President instead of the current direct popular vote.
The applicants argued that such changes would conflict with Section 328(7) of the Constitution, which restricts constitutional amendments from extending the term of a sitting President except under circumstances permitted by the Constitution. They sought an order declaring the Cabinet approval of the bill invalid and barring Mnangagwa from signing, assenting to or otherwise advancing the legislation.
Government has defended the proposed amendments, saying they are intended to strengthen democratic institutions, clarify constitutional mandates and align Zimbabwe’s legal framework with practices in other jurisdictions.
The dismissal of the application removes one of the early legal challenges against CAB3, which is already going through its first reading in Parliament.
The bill remains politically contentious, with critics arguing that some of its provisions could alter Zimbabwe’s governance architecture and potentially affect presidential tenure, while supporters maintain the reforms are necessary for institutional development and constitutional clarity.
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