Zimbabweans Ready To Die Defending Constitution – Biti

Constitution Defenders Forum (CDF) convener Tendai Biti has declared that the signing of Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 into law by President Emmerson Mnangagwa marks the beginning of the end of the mutilation of the country’s supreme law, adding that people are ready to die defending the Constitution.

Biti urged President Mnangagwa to restore the Constitution to its 2013 form, saying his action betrays the objectives and spirit of the liberation struggle.

He was speaking in an interview with the Chipinge Times editor after his court case was postponed in Mutare on Thursday.

Biti and CDF national programmes director Morgan Ncube, who is also a former Beitbridge mayor, are charged with convening a public meeting without notifying the regulating authority in contravention of Section 7(5) of the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act.

The State alleges that the pair convened a meeting attended by about 30 people at a private residence in Mutare to discuss the Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3, a matter they were not mandated to discuss.

“Signing CAB3 on July 7, 2026, is just the beginning, but the beginning of the end, because Zimbabweans will be resisting peacefully and constitutionally,” said Biti.

“Section 59 of the Constitution allows people to demonstrate, petition and engage in mass action.

“As lawyers, we are already in the courts. We filed court applications after court applications against the process and substance of CAB3.

“We are against Act No. 6 of 2026. We say no to 2030. We will die against CAB3. We will die for democracy, we will die for freedom, and there will be freedom in this country. We want peace, and we don’t want a single drop of blood.

“We want constitutionalism, we want the rule of law, and we hope that Mr Mnangagwa will do the right thing and restore our Constitution to where it was in 2013, where he found it when he became President on November 23, 2017.

“Please restore that Constitution. It’s not a big thing to ask. That’s all we are asking for.”

Biti warned that President Mnangagwa wants to create a dynasty, saying the enactment of Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 into law will not end opposition to the legislation as there will be resistance through the courts, petitions and demonstrations.

Zimbabweans are ready to die in defence of the Constitution, he said.

Biti said if elected by Parliament under amended Section 95 of the Constitution, President Mnangagwa will remain in office until 2033, giving him a total of 14 years as President.

“The passing of CAB3 means that Mnangagwa has seven more years in office. He will serve under amended Section 95 of the Constitution from 2026 to 2033.

“Those who went to the liberation struggle did not fight for the country to become a kingdom.

“This country will become a dynasty, this country will become another Munhumutapa. Mnangagwa is not another Munhumutapa,” said Biti.

More: Masvingo Mirror