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A controversial Zimbabwean MP has told a ruling party rally that he will propose amending the constitution to disqualify presidential candidates below the age of 55, a move seen as targeting MDC Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa.
Zimbabwe's constitution currently allows people aged 40 and over to stand for the highest office, a fact that benefited Chamisa who is himself only 40. But in the July 30 poll the ruling Zanu-PF party won a more than two-thirds majority in the 210-seat parliament, giving it sweeping powers to amend the constitution.
If Joseph Chinotimba's motion were to be adopted, and the constitution changed, Chamisa would be disqualified from standing in the 2023 polls.
'Not yet mature'
"I want the presidential age limit to change from 40 years to 55 or 60 years," Chinotimba said, according to the private Daily News.
He was addressing supporters to celebrate his win in the Buhera South constituency, eastern Zimbabwe.
The 68-year-old Chinotimba claimed his proposed actions weren't directed at Chamisa, but said it was because some presidential candidates "are not yet mature to lead this nation".
"We want people who know the history of this country, people who are responsible for their actions," he said.
Outrageous statements
Many on social media have laughed off Chinotimba's threat. The MP, a former security guard who helped to organise the invasion of white-owned farms in 2000 is known for his sometimes audacious comments and clownish behaviour in the National Assembly.
In November, in the wake of Robert Mugabe’s resignation, he accused the former president’s wife Grace of being a "hure" or prostitute who had led Mugabe astray.
"If I marry a woman, let her not take my legacy to be her own legacy," he said in a video clip posted by local news site, Bulawayo 24.
Now that one clown called Chinotimba wants the Presidential minimum age limit reviewed. Maybe its time we require 5 O Level passes for aspiring LAWMAKERS! @GomoDubi @pmnangagwa @TichRay @Wamagaisa @mkoyi_courteney @ProfJNMoyo
— Tapiwanashe CCChiriga (@tapchiriga97) August 16, 2018
the same Chinotimba who chased away the supreme court judges and the constitutional court judges during the land invasions ...if Zanu pf doesnt beleive in Chinotimba ,why then did they allow him to chase away the judges from their chambers.
— Lawson Masamha (@LawsonMasamha) August 17, 2018
Chonotimba said at his victory celebrations that he gonna propose in parliament to amend the constitution to change e presidential age limit..now anyone who knows Chinotimba knows that he mean wat he says and says wat he mean and Zanu pf follows wat chinotimba says.
— Lawson Masamha (@LawsonMasamha) August 17, 2018
100 per cent in support of Cde Chinotimba that Presidential age should be raised to 55 years since we have majority in Parliament @GatsiBetty @zanupf_patriots @GatsiBetty @KMutisi @JonesMusara @NNehoreka @JonesMusara @ttgono @ChenjeraiGacha1 @CharityMaodza @Tapfumaneyi1980
— Gundwe (@gundwenation) August 16, 2018
Chamisa managed to trounce Zanu in the just ended elections and chinotimba wanting to subvert the will of the people on age limit technicalities will unfortunately taste his own medicine through the 5 O level technicality. Simple as that
— Christopher Henderson (@christo45277222) August 16, 2018
You make it sound as if the headline is misleading...but it's not!..Chinotimba is a member of parliament for Zanu Pf...and if you know Zanu pf modus operandi, you would know they send someone to raise the dust first, and before you know it..it' reality.
— Colin Gwesu (@Colingwesu) August 16, 2018
