Human rights advocacy group Ibhetshu LikaZulu has defended its decision to approach the courts to challenge a Zanu PF resolution that it says is designed to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s tenure to 2030, arguing that the move violates the constitution and undermines democratic principles.
The organisation’s secretary-general, Mbuso Fuzwayo, said the group acted after Zanu PF’s 2024 resolution, which called for the extension Mnangagwa’s rule and was followed this year by a fresh resolution instructing Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi to “push” for constitutional changes enabling the extension.
Fuzwayo said the second resolution crossed a line because it directed a government official to pursue what he views as an illegal political objective.
“The reason we went to court is simple," he told Southern Eye on Sunday in an interview.
"In 2024, they made an internal resolution about extending Emmerson’s tenure to 2030.
"But this year the resolution was empowering the Justice minister to go and push the extension, which went beyond the party.
“As an organisation, we felt it was important to contest that because it is illegal.
"We cannot have a constitution amended so that it suits and fits an individual.”
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Fuzwayo said the group acted out of principle and national interest, not politics, insisting that civil society has a duty to intervene when constitutionalism is threatened.
“We believe, as a people and as a nation, we must do something against people who abuse their positions in government to change the constitution for personal interests," Fuzwayo said.
"Elected officials must respect the constitution."
He added that the submission before the courts was meant to keep state actors accountable, especially when they are the ones allegedly violating the very document they are sworn to uphold.
“The court must always be active when the constitution is being violated, especially by those supposed to protect it,” he said.
“Some say it is a Zanu PF internal matter, but the resolution was instructing a government official, not acting as Zanu PF but as the state.
"That is why we took the decision.”
Responding to claims that Ibhetshu LikaZulu was being funded by Zanu PF or influenced by political actors, Fuzwayo dismissed the suggestions as baseless.
“There is no funding from Zanu PF for the court application we did," he alleged.
"It is unfortunate that we cannot simply have different views without being labelled.
"People are quick to label anyone with a view different from theirs."
He also pushed back against claims linking the organisation to self-proclaimed CCC interim secretary-general Sengezo Tshabangu.
“The Tshabangu thing is said by lazy people," he said.
"As Ibhetshu LikaZulu, we have been fighting injustices in the streets and in the courts."
Fuzwayo said critics of the court challenge have offered no alternative strategies.
“If we do not fight the 2030 plan in the streets or in the courts, I don’t know what must be done,” he said.
“There were other applicants too, but people said nothing about them.”
Ibhetshu LikaZulu is known for its long-standing advocacy around Gukurahundi, memorialisation, human rights, and constitutionalism.
The organisation maintained that its legal action is consistent with its mandate to defend democratic norms.
