HARARE – A Zanu PF MP has been suspended for “treachery” after twice skipping votes on constitutional amendments extending President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term.

Spare Sithole, the MP for Insiza South in Matabeleland South, was hauled before a provincial disciplinary committee chaired by Albert Nguluvhe, facing five charges.

Both Nguluvhe and Sithole declined to comment, but a source said: “Sithole was found guilty and suspended from the party for three years. The suspension must be ratified by the national disciplinary committee and politburo for it to take effect.”

Nguluvhe is an ally of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga and a relative of his wife, Miniyothabo.

The Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill sailed through the National Assembly after votes on June 18 and June 30, both of which Sithole missed. On one of those dates, when Sithole reportedly said he was sick, Zanu PF’s disciplinary committee heard he was in his constituency making a donation.

Sithole owns a security company and has interests in gold mining.

The war veteran was not the only Zanu PF MP to miss a vote, although an overwhelming number voted for the amendments despite reports of significant internal opposition. Tatenda Mavetera, the MP for Chikomba West and ICT minister, reportedly went to Mnangagwa “grovelling” after missing the first vote, telling the Zanu PF leader she arrived minutes before voting and found the doors closed. She voted for the Bill on June 30.

The action against Sithole could signal a wider crackdown targeting Zanu PF dissenters against the constitutional amendments, which are now law after Mnangagwa signed the bill.

Constitution Amendment No. 3, gazetted on July 7 after Mnangagwa’s assent, extends presidential and parliamentary terms from five to seven years and applies this extension to the incumbent president, the sitting Senate and National Assembly – scrapping elections that had been due in 2028.

It also overhauls how the president is elected, shifting from a direct popular vote to election by parliament. Analysts have noted the change is widely seen as complicating any succession bid by Chiwenga.

The law further expands presidential powers to appoint judges and the Prosecutor General, creates a new delimitation commission, and transfers voter registration functions from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to the Registrar General.

Multiple challenges are now before the courts. Former Binga North MP Prince Dubeko Sibanda filed an application in the Constitutional Court arguing the amendment unlawfully extends the terms of the incumbent president, parliament and councillors in violation of section 328(7) of the Constitution.

Separately, National Constitutional assembly member Vhurande Mahlupeko has asked the Constitutional Court to declare the entire Act null and void, arguing parliament breached section 328(3) by introducing amendments not contained in the Bill as originally published for public scrutiny, among four constitutional objections.