Please find below the Statement, “On the Proposed Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill, 2026”, given 27 February from the Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHOCD), which is constituted by the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference (ZCBC), together with its ecumenical partners, the Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe (EFZ), the Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) and the Union for Development of Apostolic Churches in Zimbabwe (UDACIZA).
PASTORAL STATEMENT
On the Proposed Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill, 2026 Date: 27 February 2026
Beloved sisters and brothers in Christ, fellow citizens, and leaders of our nation,
As shepherds of God’s people, we issue this pastoral statement in a season of testing as our government is considering the Constitution of Zimbabwe (Amendment) Bill 3, 2026. We speak to conscience, not partisanship, and to the common good entrusted to all who love this land. Guided by Scripture and prophetic witness in difficult times (Jeremiah 29:7; Micah 6:8; Matthew 20:25–28), we write to build peace, protect justice, and preserve the people’s voice.
We acknowledge genuine gains recorded under the leadership of His Excellency, President Emmerson D. Mnangagwa: efforts toward economic stabilization and growth, significant infrastructural and agricultural projects, and re-engagement to improve Zimbabwe’s international standing. These are foundations for a worthy legacy when anchored in constitutionalism.
Yet even with these positive strides, our nation continues to face deep and painful challenges: we have not fully benefited from our God-given mineral wealth; corruption remains entrenched in many institutions; public social services—health, education, and essential infrastructure—continue to collapse or underperform; and poverty and inequality are increasing, leaving many households in despair. These realities call us to sober reflection, repentance, and renewed commitment to justice, stewardship, and accountability as envisioned in our national values and in God’s Word (Isaiah 1:17; Amos 5:24).
Drawing from the timeless wisdom of Micah 6:8, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God,” we, as the Church, address the proposed Constitutional Amendment (Bill 3), 2026, with a profound sense of moral responsibility. This verse reminds us of our sacred duty to uphold justice, fairness, and integrity in all aspects of governance. As we consider the implications of these amendments, we are called to ensure that our actions reflect these divine principles, safeguarding the rights, well-being and shared future of all Zimbabweans.
As the Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHOCD), we affirm the Church’s historic and constructive role in shaping a home-grown and people driven constitutional order: prior to the 2013 process, churches spearheaded advocacy for a people-driven charter through the 2006 Zimbabwe We Want national vision document, which called for a home-grown constitution, political tolerance, and a shared national vision. Building on this groundwork, we mobilised congregations nationwide to participate in COPAC outreach and stakeholder forums so that community voices informed the draft. These efforts are reflected in the 2013 Constitution’s affirmation of diverse religious values, robust freedom of conscience, and a Preamble that acknowledges the supremacy of Almighty God. We therefore recommit to safeguarding constitutionalism through prayer, reflection, discernment, civic education, non-partisan advocacy, and vigilant defence of the 2013 Constitution’s spirit and letter, particularly our national values, electoral system and the safeguards against entrenchment of power. The proposed constitutional amendments raise serious moral and constitutional concerns as they fundamentally alter the 2013 aspirations of the people of Zimbabwe, and raise serious constitutional and moral concerns, particularly without going back to the people in a referendum.
We recall with a sense of profound hope our correspondence to His Excellency on 18 July 2024, in which we unreservedly commended his public commitment to not seek a third term of office or term extension. At that time, we celebrated this decision as a ‘sterling example of servant leadership’ that honoured both the letter and spirit of Section 91(2) of our Constitution. To now proceed with amendments that would effectively bypass these very term limits—limits the President himself previously pledged to uphold—would not only contradict those honorable assurances but would deeply wound the nation’s trust and the moral standing of the Second Republic.
After prayerful reflection on the proposed constitutional amendments—we discern grave risks and are deeply concerned: the extension of presidential and parliamentary terms without a fresh mandate from the people of Zimbabwe; attempts to bypass entrenched constitutional safeguards that require a referendum for constitutional changes; removal of direct presidential elections; re-structuring of the Senate in manner that will entrench dominance of the incumbent; weakening of electoral independence by reallocating core functions to presidential appointees; increased executive control over the judiciary and prosecution, the abolition or dilution of key independent commissions as well as politicking the customary, cultural and traditional functions of the traditional leadership.
Taken together, the proposed Constitution of Zimbabwe (Amendment) Bill 3, 2026, has far reaching amendments to the 2013 people driven and home-grown constitution such that they should not be enacted without going for a referendum. The proposed amendments alter values underpinning our 2013 Constitution, and if passed will set a dangerous precedence to our constitutional democracy. They would narrow the people’s voice in Governance of the country and concentrate power in ways incompatible with our 2013 Constitution’s spirit. As they limit the participation of citizens in governance, they heighten the threat of conflict in the country.
We pray for discernment, moral and ethical leadership, good leadership is reflected in a willingness to serve without attachment to position, building successors and leading smooth transition for a shared future of the country. Holy Scripture charges rulers to defend the oppressed and to enact just laws (Isaiah 1:17; 10:1), teaches that righteousness exalts a nation (Proverbs 14:34), and that authority is a stewardship expressed in service, not domination (Matthew 20:25–28). In that light, constitutional changes that extend terms of Office, reduce citizen participation and weaken checks and balances contradict the moral order God intends for public leadership.
Moreover, these constitutional proposals stand at odds with the President’s own words. The President recently stated that he would respect the Constitution, entrench Constitutionalism and not overstay the two (2) 5 year-term limit that ends in 2028. He stated that by doing this at the end of his two (2) 5-year terms, he will give people of Zimbabwe the chance to choose new leadership. To proceed with amendments and also bypass a referendum and remove direct presidential elections would wound credibility and imperil a statesman’s legacy that could otherwise be secured by a dignified constitutional transition following the 2028 elections.
Our Pastoral Call:
1. To all Christians, all people of faith, and all Zimbabweans:
At this crisis moment, pray without ceasing for wisdom, courage, and peace (1 Timothy 2:1–2; James 1:5). Then engage your Members of Parliament respectfully and persistently—through letters, visits, and lawful civic platforms—to urge them to act with justice, mercy, and humility as they consider these deeply concerning Constitutional amendments. Let your actions and voices be truthful, non-violent, and grounded in love (Ephesians 4:15) as you deeply express our concerns over the negative implications of these Constitutional amendments for our common life. Draw strength from biblical witnesses who resisted unjust decrees: the Hebrew midwives (Exodus 1:15–21), Moses before Pharaoh (Exodus 5–12), Esther before the king (Esther 4–7), Daniel and his companions (Daniel 3; 6), Nathan confronting David (2 Samuel 12), and the apostles who said, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). In this spirit, we urge all people of faith to prayerfully reflect on these amendments which are broadly inconsistent with the foundational values underpinned in the people-driven 2013 Constitution, the inherent dignity of citizens and the demand of justice.
2. To Members of Parliament:
Your oath of office binds you to the Constitution and to the people of this nation. Parliament is a sacred trust, intended to serve the collective good rather than as a mechanism for the extension of power. We appeal to your conscience to stand on firm moral ground and decline to endorse these amendments. We urge you to choose principle over expedience. By doing so, you will safeguard the integrity of institutions that must serve every Zimbabwean, both in the present and for generations to come.
3. To His Excellency, the President:
Do not be swayed by those persuading you with these deeply concerning constitutional amendments fundamentally changing our people driven 2013 Constitution. Lead as a constitutionalist. Consolidate your legacy by providing exemplary leadership, conducting elections in 2028 and allow the country to witness the first truly smooth leadership transition. By this, you honor your oath and the hopes of the nation. This path preserves the positive gains of your tenure—stabilization efforts, infrastructure, and international re-engagement—and aligns with God’s call to rulers to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly (Micah 6:8). We make this fervent call to resist any temptation to amend the Constitution for selfish ends, instead align with the national development agenda (NDS2) and Vision 2030 by entrenching constitutionalism and constitutional democracy in the country.
Our Ongoing Commitment (ZHOCD):
As ZHOCD, we will continue to engage His Excellency and all stakeholders in a spirit of dialogue and national healing. We commit to strategic, non-partisan engagement across churches, civil society, traditional leaders, business, youth, and all citizens to ensure Zimbabwe does not regress but advances toward the entrenchment of constitutional democracy for sustainable development and national transformation as aspired in NDS2 and Vision 2030. We have since launched a National Dialogue and Engagement Document towards the Zimbabwe We Want, a document we believe can guide the nation towards a comprehensive National Dialogue Process to resolve the challenges we face as a nation. We will support the attainment of development priorities in NDS2 and Vision 2030, recognizing that sustainable development rests on the rule of law, accountable institutions, and citizen participation, not entirely on a single leader.
May the God of peace grant us courage to do what is right, wisdom to preserve justice, and love to bind us together as one people. ‘Seek the peace and prosperity of the city… pray to the Lord for it’ (Jeremiah 29:7).
Amos 5:24 - But let justice run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.
Issued by: Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHOCD)