President Emmerson Mnangagwa has signed the Constitutional Amendment number 3 Bill into law, ushering in significant changes to the country’s governance framework following its passage through Parliament on June 18. With the President’s assent, the amendments take immediate effect as part of Zimbabwe’s Constitution. ALSO READ: Zimbabwe parliament passes bill extending presidential terms Under the new provisions, the President will now be elected by Parliament and not by direct public vote while the presidential and parliament terms increase from five to seven years. The President can now appoint 10 more senators, increasing the Senate from 80 to 90 members. Public interviews for judicial appointments are removed and will now be appointed directly by the President. If the President becomes incapacitated, a Vice-President acts as President until Parliament elects a replacement within 30 days. Government departments are expected to begin implementing the new provisions, while civil society groups and legal observers say they will closely monitor how the changes are implemented in the coming months. Supporters of the amendments say the reforms will improve administrative efficiency, streamline state operations and align the Constitution with the country’s long-term development agenda. They argue that the changes will strengthen key institutions and promote greater stability in public administration. However, critics contend that the amendments concentrate more power in the executive and could weaken the system of checks and balances that underpins Zimbabwe’s constitutional order. They have expressed concern that changes to judicial appointment processes may affect the independence of key state institutions and reduce institutional oversight.
