Court Reporter

The Constitutional Court of Zimbabwe has reserved judgment in a legal challenge brought by six liberation war veterans against the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Act, 2026 (CAA3).

The full bench convened in Harare on 22 September 2026 to hear the application for direct access, registered as case number CCZ 273/26.

The applicants, Reuben Zulu, Godfrey Gurira, Shoorai Nyamangodo, Joseph Chinyangare, Digmore Knowledge Ndiya and Joseph Chinguwa, are challenging the provision that transitions Zimbabwe from direct election of the President to election through Parliament.

Represented by a legal team led by Professor Lovemore Madhuku, Dr Lewis Uriri and Tawanda Zhuwarara, the war veterans argued that the amendment violates the Bill of Rights and requires approval through a public referendum.

They contended that the right of citizens to vote in presidential elections is protected under the Bill of Rights and that replacing the direct vote with a parliamentary election fundamentally alters how that right is exercised.

Opposing the application, Attorney-General Virginia Mabiza argued that the matter should be struck off the roll.

Mabiza submitted that the applicants failed to demonstrate how their rights were violated and did not plead with the specificity required for direct access applications.

She also dismissed claims of widespread opposition to CAA3, describing the narrative as being driven by a small group of recurring litigants rather than reflecting broader public sentiment.

The court’s decision on whether to grant the war veterans direct access will determine whether the substantive challenge to the parliamentary election of the President proceeds in the apex court or is directed to the High Court through normal appeal processes.

Judgment was reserved.