Constitution to be changed to disqualify Sikhala, Biti, Chamisa from 2023 presidential race

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MDC Alliance national vice-chairman Job Sikhala said he has been tipped by intelligence sources that ZANU PF is plotting to introduce laws to bar party leader Nelson Chamisa and deputy Tendai Biti from contesting in the 2023 elections.

In a tweet over the weekend, the Zengeza West legislator said ZANU PF was planning to lift the age threshold of any presidential hopeful from the current 40 to a minimum of 52.

Chamisa would be 45 in 2023.

Sikhala said Biti could be disqualified by the mooted Patriotic Act that would bar any citizen who invited western imposed sanctions on the country to contest any poll. Said Sikhala:

Good people, ED’s regime is plotting to amend the Constitution and the Electoral Act once more again to peg the presidential age to 52.
Their target is the People’s President Nelson Chamisa and myself. Tendai Biti will be barred via a provision to be inserted in the Patriotic Bill.
These are intelligence sources tip-offs. This information is just to alert the public about the heinous plots against our party.

The MDC Alliance accuses President Emmerson Mnangagwa of dirty tactics that include manipulating the courts and laws to try and extend his rule beyond 2023.

In an interview with NewZimbabwe.Com sometime in March, ZANU PF chief whip Pupurai Togarepi said Chamisa and Biti should be blocked from occupying any public office because they had campaigned for sanctions against Zimbabwe.

In a tweet, this Monday, President Mnangagwa’s spokesperson George Charamba said people who serve foreign interests should not be protected by the Constitution. He wrote:

One question that has been exercising my mind is: Why should Zimbabwe, Zimbabwean Constitution, Zimbabwean laws, Zimbabwean Institutions, Processes, Zimbabwean Resources, Personnel, serve or protect individuals who cheer, serve hostile foreigners and foreign interests??? Why??😯