Zimbabwe’s Constitutional Crisis: A ‘Slow Coup’ for a Lifetime Presidency?

In Sunday’s broadcast of Inside the Continent on 12 April, host Baillor Jalloh and guest co-host Tchiyiwe Thandiwe Chihana explored the high-stakes debate surrounding Zimbabwe’s proposed constitutional amendments. Joining them was investigative journalist Simba Chikanza, founder of ZimEye and a lead figure in Al Jazeera’s Gold Mafia investigation, who offered a searing critique of the country’s current political path.

The conversation moved beyond the legal jargon of the amendments to examine the broader mechanics of power in Zimbabwe. Chikanza provided a detailed account of how President Emmerson Mnangagwa was groomed for leadership and the strategies he now employs to consolidate his rule. Central to the discussion was the allegation that these constitutional shifts represent a "slow coup"—a calculated effort to dismantle term limits and secure what Simba described as “lifetime presidency”.

The trio examined how these changes threaten to undermine future elections and the very foundation of Zimbabwean democracy. With the Southern African region watching closely, the programme highlighted what this moment signals for the nation’s democratic trajectory. For many, the current proposals are not mere administrative updates but a fundamental threat to the integrity of the 2013 Constitution.

You can watch the full episode by clicking on the video above.