Major Victory For Citizens As Ibhetshu Likazulu Withdraws 2030 Court Challenge – Eduzim News

By A Correspondent| Bulawayo based, Ibhetshu Likazulu has withdrawn its court challenge against the controversial “2030 agenda,” which seeks to extend the term of Emmerson Mnangagwa beyond 2028 through Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3.

In a press statement issued on 9 March, the organisation’s Secretary General, Mbuso Fuzwayo, said the decision to withdraw the case was difficult but necessary after what he described as a sustained smear campaign targeting both the organisation and its leadership.

“Following advice from some of our stakeholders, we have taken the difficult decision to withdraw our court case with immediate effect,” Fuzwayo said.

“This comes in light of an unrelenting smear campaign to soil the reputation of the organisation and myself in particular.”

Ibhetshu Likazulu had approached the courts to challenge the constitutionality of the proposed changes linked to the 2030 agenda, a political push widely interpreted as aimed at extending Mnangagwa’s stay in office beyond the current constitutional limit.

However, Fuzwayo stressed that withdrawing the legal challenge does not mean the organisation has abandoned its opposition to the proposed constitutional changes.

“The termination of the court route does not in any way mean that we are abandoning our strong opposition to the 2030 agenda and its mutilation of the Constitution,” he said.

The group said it would instead continue resisting the proposed amendment through other avenues alongside other constitutional activists and organisations.

Fuzwayo also expressed support for other legal challenges still before the courts, particularly those being pursued by constitutional law scholar and political leader Lovemore Madhuku.

“In that regard we support colleagues who have also taken the matter to court, especially those represented by Professor Lovemore Madhuku,” he said.

The organisation further claimed that its legal efforts had been undermined by what it described as “vicious propaganda” designed to create division, mistrust and suspicion among its members and within the broader democratic movement.

Fuzwayo dismissed allegations that Ibhetshu Likazulu or its leadership had received support from government allies, insisting the group has never worked with what he termed “regime enablers.”

“It is unfortunate but expected that this struggle for constitutionalism has turned ugly and hazardous,” he said. “At both individual and organisational level we have neither engaged nor received any support from regime enablers in the past or present.”

Despite withdrawing the case, the organisation vowed to remain active in the fight for constitutionalism and the protection of democratic principles.

“We shall soldier on and remain focused. Nothing and absolutely nothing can change our set goals and the fight for justice, the rule of law and respect for human rights in Zimbabwe,” Fuzwayo said.

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