CONSTITUTIONAL WATCH: Matinyarare Warns of “Plutocracy” Risks in Proposed Amendment No. 3
- Southerton Business Times
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
HARARE – Prominent and often controversial social commentator Rutendo Matinyarare has broken ranks with the prevailing narrative to issue a stark warning regarding the Constitutional Amendment (No. 3) Bill, 2026. Matinyarare asserts that the proposal to elect the President via Parliament rather than a direct popular vote risks handing the keys of the State to the highest bidder.
In a series of candid posts on the social media platform X, Matinyarare argued that moving the elective process to a smaller body of 200 Members of Parliament (MPs) creates a dangerous bottleneck susceptible to financial manipulation. He characterized the current legislative body as "underpaid" and "self-serving," making them prime targets for wealthy individuals seeking to capture the Presidency.
“I don’t want an underpaid, incompetent, and self-serving parliament... picking our President based on who bribes the 200 MPs with more money,” Matinyarare stated.
He warned that such a system would inevitably lead to leaders who prioritize the enrichment of their private allies over the general public, effectively transforming Zimbabwe’s democracy into a plutocracy (rule by the wealthy).
Beyond the mechanics of the election, Matinyarare raised concerns regarding the potential fallout of a Presidential term extension achieved without a popular mandate. He noted that if a leader uses state apparatus to suppress dissent, it risks inviting renewed international isolation.
“I don’t want to give a term extension to a President who allows our state apparatus to be used to beat, imprison, and burn the property of those who disagree with him, risking the country being put under new sanctions or being invaded by the West,” he added.
Despite his history of supporting the ZANU-PF-led government, Matinyarare took a firm constitutionalist stance regarding the future of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s tenure. He insisted that any extension of the Presidential term limit must be subjected to a national referendum, rather than a parliamentary vote. This intervention by a known government supporter highlights a growing internal debate within the country’s political discourse regarding the "2030" agenda and the legal pathways being explored to achieve it.
Zimbabwe Constitutional Amendment No 3 Bill Rutendo Matinyarare