HARARE, Zimbabwe – Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has signed into law legislation extending his term in office by two years to 2030, according to Reuters, citing government spokesperson Nick Mangwana.
Mangwana announced the development on Tuesday in a post on X, saying: “Signed, sealed and delivered – it is now law,” while attaching a copy of the legislation.
According to the report, both houses of Zimbabwe’s Parliament approved the bill last month before it was assented to by the 83-year-old president.
The legislation introduces several significant constitutional changes, including replacing direct presidential elections with a system in which Parliament elects the head of state.
It also extends the terms of office for the President and Members of Parliament from five years to seven years.
Under the new law, if the Office of the President becomes vacant, one of the Vice-Presidents will serve as Acting President until Parliament elects a substantive President within 30 days.
The legislation further expands the Senate from 80 to 90 members through the appointment of 10 additional senators by the President.
Other reported changes include removing public interviews for judicial appointments and transferring voter registration responsibilities from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to the Registrar-General.
Reuters reported that signs Mnangagwa wanted to remain in office beyond the end of his second term in 2028 first emerged about two years ago, when supporters at ZANU-PF rallies began chanting slogans urging him to remain in power to complete his agenda.
Last year, the ruling ZANU-PF party adopted a resolution proposing constitutional amendments to extend presidential terms. Reuters said the proposal subsequently received Cabinet backing in February before being passed by Parliament last month.
The legislation marks one of the most significant constitutional changes in Zimbabwe in recent years and is expected to reshape the country’s electoral and governance framework.