In
a
pastoral
statement
issued
on
Friday,
the
Zimbabwe
Heads
of
Christian
Denominations
(ZHOCD)
said
the
proposed
amendments
raise
serious
moral
and
constitutional
concerns,
particularly
given
their
far-reaching
impact
and
the
absence
of
a
referendum.
The
church
leaders
expressed
concern
over
provisions
that
would
extend
presidential
and
parliamentary
terms
without
a
fresh
electoral
mandate,
remove
direct
presidential
elections,
and
restructure
the
Senate
in
a
way
they
say
could
entrench
incumbent
dominance.
They
also
warned
that
the
changes
would
weaken
the
independence
of
electoral
and
oversight
institutions.
Further
concerns
were
raised
about
increased
executive
influence
over
the
judiciary
and
prosecution
services,
the
dilution
of
key
independent
commissions,
and
the
politicisation
of
traditional
leadership.
“Taken
together,
these
amendments
narrow
the
people’s
voice
in
governance
and
concentrate
power
in
ways
incompatible
with
the
Constitution’s
spirit,”
the
statement
said.
ZHOCD
argued
that
limiting
citizen
participation
heightens
the
risk
of
instability
and
undermines
constitutional
democracy.
The
church
leaders
reminded
legislators
that
their
oath
of
office
binds
them
to
uphold
both
the
Constitution
and
the
will
of
the
people.
“Parliament
is
a
sacred
trust,
intended
to
serve
the
collective
good
rather
than
as
a
mechanism
for
the
extension
of
power,”
they
said,
urging
Members
of
Parliament
to
choose
principle
over
expedience
and
to
decline
to
endorse
the
amendments.
The
religious
body
also
appealed
directly
to
President
Emmerson
Mnangagwa
not
to
support
constitutional
changes
that
would
undermine
term
limits
or
bypass
the
will
of
the
electorate.
“To
proceed
with
amendments
that
would
effectively
bypass
these
term
limits
would
deeply
wound
the
nation’s
trust,”
the
statement
said.
Addressing
citizens,
the
church
leaders
called
for
prayer,
peaceful
engagement
and
respectful
dialogue
with
elected
representatives.
They
encouraged
Zimbabweans
to
write
to
and
meet
their
MPs,
using
lawful
civic
platforms
to
express
concerns
grounded
in
justice
and
love.
ZHOCD
said
it
would
continue
engaging
the
President
and
other
stakeholders
in
a
spirit
of
national
healing,
civic
education
and
non-partisan
advocacy,
pledging
sustained
support
for
constitutional
democracy
and
development
anchored
in
the
rule
of
law
and
citizen
participation.