Jonathan Moyo Denies Role in Ibhetshu LikaZulu’s Withdrawal of Constitutional Court Challenge
Following Ibhetshu LikaZulu and Mbuso Fuzwayo’s withdrawal of their Constitutional Court challenge against President Mnangagwa’s term extension, Jonathan Moyo has denied allegations that he orchestrated the litigation.
Jonathan Moyo Denies Role in Ibhetshu LikaZulu’s Withdrawal of Constitutional Court Challenge
Source: www.zimbabwesituation.com
On 9 March 2026, Ibhetshu LikaZulu and its Secretary General Mbuso Fuzwayo formally withdrew their Constitutional Court challenge against Constitutional Amendment Number 3, which seeks to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term beyond 2028. The move came amid a tense political atmosphere, with Fuzwayo citing an unrelenting smear campaign targeting the leadership as a key reason for the withdrawal. Despite stepping back from the court case, Ibhetshu LikaZulu and Fuzwayo affirmed their continued opposition to the so-called 2030 agenda and vowed to pursue their objectives through other means.
The litigation had attracted significant attention, not least because of the substantial legal fees involved. Lawyers representing Ibhetshu LikaZulu and Fuzwayo retained a combined total of US$450,000 in fees despite the case’s withdrawal. This sum was evenly split between two senior advocates, Nqobani Sithole and Method Ndlovu, each receiving US$225,000. The financial aspect added another layer of complexity to the already fraught political and legal dispute.
In the wake of the withdrawal, Advocate Method Ndlovu, who served as legal counsel for Ibhetshu LikaZulu, accused former minister and ruling Zanu PF political strategist Jonathan Moyo of being the “principal architect” behind the litigation. Moyo, a professor of politics, strongly denied these allegations in an exclusive response to The NewsHawks. He emphasized that he had no involvement in the case and had not communicated with either Mbuso Fuzwayo or Ibhetshu LikaZulu regarding the matter for several years.
Moyo dismissed Ndlovu’s claims as baseless and motivated by attempts to extort money or smear his reputation. He described the accusation as a “brazen, evidence-free fabrication” and stated that he had never discussed the case with Fuzwayo or Ibhetshu LikaZulu, nor had he engaged Ndlovu or any other lawyer connected to the litigation. Moyo also referenced an illegally recorded and leaked WhatsApp call involving Ndlovu, which he said was part of an unprofessional campaign to implicate him falsely.
Meanwhile, the legal challenge against Constitutional Amendment Number 3 has not ended entirely. Professor Lovemore Madhuku and his associates have launched a separate legal action contesting the amendment, signaling ongoing resistance to the constitutional changes that underpin President Mnangagwa’s extended tenure. This continuing opposition reflects the broader contestation surrounding Zimbabwe’s political and governance systems as they evolve under the 2030 agenda.
The withdrawal by Ibhetshu LikaZulu and Fuzwayo, coupled with Moyo’s public denial of involvement, highlights the intricate and often contentious nature of Zimbabwe’s political litigation landscape. As the country navigates these constitutional debates, the interplay between legal challenges, political strategy, and public perception remains a critical factor shaping the nation’s democratic trajectory.
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