Source: CAB3 clears Parliament, heads to Mnangagwa for assent -Newsday Zimbabwe
HARARE, Jun. 30 (NewsDay Live) — Zimbabwe’s controversial Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Bill (No. 3) cleared its final parliamentary hurdle Tuesday after the National Assembly approved Senate amendments during an extraordinary sitting convened by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The National Assembly adopted the Senate amendments by 226 votes, with 41 opposition Citizens Coalition for Change legislators voting against, paving the way for the bill to be transmitted to Mnangagwa for assent.
The bill has triggered fierce political and legal debate over its proposed changes to Zimbabwe’s constitutional framework.
Among its key provisions, the legislation extends the term of the current Parliament and local authorities by two years to 2030. It also increases the term of office for future presidents, Parliament and local authorities from five years to seven years.
The bill further proposes changing the process of filling a vacancy in the Office of the President by transferring the power to elect a successor from the electorate to a joint sitting of the National Assembly and Senate.
The legislation initially passed the National Assembly on June 18 with 216 votes, aided by 34 legislators aligned to self-styled Citizens Coalition for Change secretary-general Sengezo Tshabangu. The Senate later approved it by 75 votes to four before returning it to the lower house to consider procedural amendments.
Tuesday’s sitting was attended by Chikomba West MP and ICT Minister Tatenda Mavetera and Makoni West MP and Skills Audit Minister Jenfan Muswere, who were among 14 Zanu PF legislators absent during the initial National Assembly vote. Their attendance followed a directive from Zanu PF ordering all its legislators to be present for the decisive sitting.
Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda presided over the proceedings.
Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said the Senate amendments were largely procedural, including provisions requiring the first sitting of a newly elected Parliament to be held within 14 days of the declaration of election results on a date fixed by the Clerk of Parliament through a Government Gazette. The amendments also provide that the clerk will preside over both Houses until the Speaker of the National Assembly is elected.
Despite Parliament’s approval, the bill could still face legal challenges.
Constitutional lawyers argue that amendments affecting Section 328(7) of the Constitution cannot take effect through presidential assent alone. They contend that the proposed changes require approval by Zimbabwean voters in a national referendum conducted by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission before they can become law.
The bill has become one of the most contentious constitutional proposals since the adoption of Zimbabwe’s 2013 Constitution, with critics accusing the government of attempting to prolong political terms without a fresh electoral mandate. Supporters argue the amendments are necessary to improve governance and align electoral processes.
The post CAB3 clears Parliament, heads to Mnangagwa for assent appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.