Zimbabwe is now officially on the path to dictatorship. Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi has confirmed that the government is taking legal steps to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s time in office beyond the constitutional limit of two terms. This shocking move shows once again that Zanu PF is not ready to let go of power, even if it means tearing up the very constitution it once promised to protect.

When Mnangagwa took power through a coup in 2017, he claimed to be a “constitutionalist.” But today, his government is plotting to rewrite the rules so he can stay in power until 2030 — or even longer. Despite his repeated denials, the truth is now out in the open. The plan to extend his term is real, and it has already begun.

Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi confirmed this during an interview with The Sunday Mail. He explained that the process of changing the constitution to allow Mnangagwa more time in office is underway. He said this plan started with “resolutions from the grassroots” — but we know better. These so-called grassroots voices are nothing more than a carefully managed script from the top of the party.

This same idea was discussed last October at the Zanu PF conference in Bulawayo. Back then, party members agreed that if Mnangagwa wanted to extend his rule, the party would support it. But even they admitted it would be difficult. Why? Because the current constitution clearly limits a president to two terms. Any attempt to go beyond that means rewriting the law — and that’s exactly what Ziyambi is preparing to do.

The process will require not just one, but two national referenda. First, to change the two-term limit. Second, to scrap the rule that stops a sitting president from benefiting from any changes. Ziyambi says all the legal steps will be followed — from Cabinet approval to parliamentary debate, drafting by the Attorney-General, public consultations, and finally, referenda.

But don’t be fooled. This is not about the people’s will. It is about political survival. Ziyambi claims the idea came from the grassroots. He says, “The issues come from districts and provinces and are adopted at the conference.” But what ordinary Zimbabwean is demanding more years of Mnangagwa? Who is asking for more poverty, more corruption, more suffering? The truth is, this is a top-down power grab dressed up as people’s demand.

This plan is dangerous. It risks destroying the little democracy that is left. It breaks the promise of accountability. It allows one man to stay in power forever while the country sinks deeper into economic crisis and political repression.

Critics have already warned that this move will damage Zimbabwe’s fragile democracy. The two-term limit exists for a reason — to stop leaders from becoming rulers for life. To change that now would be to betray everything that the constitution stands for. It would signal the final death of any hope for democratic reform.

Mnangagwa wants to join the long list of African leaders who refused to leave when their time was up. Leaders like Museveni in Uganda or Kagame in Rwanda — men who rewrote constitutions to hold onto power at any cost. Zimbabwe is now walking that same dangerous road.

This is not about development. This is not about reform. This is about fear — fear of losing power, fear of being held accountable, fear of the people finally rising up.

For now, Ziyambi insists that everything will be done “by the law.” But when the law is being changed to fit the ambitions of one man, then the law becomes meaningless.

Zimbabweans must not be silent. This is not just a legal issue — it is a national emergency. Our future is being rewritten behind closed doors. We must reject this betrayal of the constitution and fight back against this creeping dictatorship.

The clock is ticking. The battle to stop Mnangagwa’s third term begins now.