…..Molyne Karimunhenga(Spokesperson) and Limukane Mathe (Vice Chairperson)
By Desire Tshuma
Harare — The Zimbabwe Presidential Scholarship Alumni Association for Economic Development (ZPSAA) has backed Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 to extend the presidential term to seven years, saying continuity will reduce election spending and protect Vision 2030 projects.
The 2023 harmonised elections drew a Treasury allocation of about US$188 million, which ZPSAA calls a fiscal drag that lengthening the cycle would ease.
“This is about how our constitutional architecture can lower the cost of governance and unlock economic growth,” said Limukane Mathe, vice-chairperson. Roncemore Mhlanga, chairperson, added that alumni professionals created by the Presidential Scholarship programme now need “policy certainty” for infrastructure, housing and skills plans to mature.
Spokesperson Molyne Karimunhenga noted that past changes—1987’s Executive Presidency and the 2009 inclusive government—went through Parliament without referendums, stressing that Section 1.4.1 hearings meet constitutional requirements.
ZPSAA also pointed to SAPES Trust leader Ibbo Mandaza, who had argued for suspending elections to allow economic recovery; the group said his earlier proposal mirrors the development logic behind Bill No. 3. Citing Algeria, Azerbaijan, Egypt and Russia, it contends seven-year terms insulate policy from the spending spikes and capital-flow drops that election years trigger.