Section 95: Term of office of President and Vice-Presidents
Constitution of Zimbabwe
(1) The term of office of the President commences on the day he or she is sworn in and assumes office in terms of section 94(1) (a) or 94(3).
[Subsection amended by s. 7 of Act No. 2 of 2021]
(2) The term of office of the President extends until—
(a) he or she resigns or is removed from office; or
(b) following an election, he or she is declared to be re-elected or a new President is
declared to be elected; and, except as otherwise provided in this Constitution, his or her term of office are five years and coterminous with the life of Parliament.
[Subsection amended by s. 7 of Act No. 2 of 2021]
(3) The term of office of Vice-President commences on the day he or she is appointed by the President and sworn in as such in terms of section 94(2a).
[Subsection inserted by s. 7 of Act No. 2 of 2021]
(4) A Vice-President vacates his or her office upon resignation or removal from office by the President.
[Subsection inserted by s. 7 of Act No. 2 of 2021]
Key Insight: Presidential Terms and Continuity of Government
This section establishes the constitutional mechanism for ensuring smooth transitions of power in Zimbabwe. It aligns the President's term with Parliament's life (five years) while providing flexibility for situations like resignation or removal. The 2021 amendment clarified the Vice-President's appointment process, making them serve at the President's pleasure rather than being directly tied to electoral cycles, which strengthens presidential authority over the executive branch.