A blunt directive from Attorney General Virginia Mabiza that senior officials must either back Cabinet decisions or resign has thrown fresh light on simmering tensions at the top of government, with the spotlight falling squarely on debate around Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3.
“Once Cabinet has made a decision, all members are expected to support it. Those who cannot do so have the option to resign,” she said, invoking Section 104 of the Constitution, which gives the President powers to appoint, dismiss or reassign members of the executive.
Mabiza’s remarks, directed at ministers, deputy ministers and vice-presidents land at a moment when internal differences over proposed constitutional changes are becoming harder to ignore.
On social media Zimbabweans have dragged Mabiza for her perceived political affiliation.
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The Bill will now be tabled in Parliament after what many have labelled staged public hearings with reports showing that there was deliberate effort to bar those wanted to speak against the bill.
Attention has increasingly turned to Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, whose recent remarks invoking a biblical warning about leaders overstaying in power have been read by analysts as a thinly veiled caution against extending political timelines.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has not publicly addressed the apparent tensions and neither has he admitted that he now wants a term extension after repeatedly stating that he would leave office in 2028 as per existing Constitution.
At the same time, government is reportedly moving to formalise a code of conduct for senior officials under Section 106(3) of the Constitution, a step that could further tighten expectations around public conduct and messaging.
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