The media was awash with news today that President Robert Mugabe could rule for another 10 years if he is elected President in this year’s elections. He would be 99 by the time be retires. The only reason why Mugabe is supposed to remain in office until he is 99 is that the new constitution sets a presidential limit of 10 years. The focus on Mugabe instead of the constitution could mislead Zimbabweans into rejecting the new constitution when it goes for a referendum solely because they cannot accept another 10 years under Mugabe. This is what civil society played with in 2000 leading the nation to reject the draft constitution. Tsvangirai could have become Prime Minister in 200 instead of waiting for another nine years.
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