Source: Amendment No.3 Bill goes to the people – herald
Zimpapers Reporters
THE four-day Constitutional Amendment No.3 Bill public hearings start today, with thousands of people across the country expected to air their views.
Parliament announced recently that public hearings would run from March 30 to April 2.
Zanu PF concluded its sensitisation meetings aimed at raising awareness about the benefits of the Bill over the weekend.
Among many of its far-reaching and transformative proposals, the Bill seeks to align election cycles with the country’s developmental aspirations and economic trajectory.
During the hearings, people will have the opportunity to submit written submissions through “special desks” designated for this purpose.
The 90-day period for public hearings and consultations started on February 17 after the Amendment No.3 Bill was gazetted.
A recent statement from the Parliament of Zimbabwe said public hearings must occur before the Bill could be debated in Parliament.
“A Constitutional Bill may not be presented in the Senate or the National Assembly in terms of Section 131 unless the Speaker has given at least 90 days’ notice in the Gazette of the precise terms of the Bill,” the statement reads in part.
“Immediately after the Speaker has given notice of a Constitutional Bill in terms of subsection (3), Parliament must invite members of the public to express their views on the proposed Bill in public meetings and through written submissions, and must convene meetings and provide facilities to enable the public to do so.
“In compliance with the above and as part of enhancing participatory democracy, the Parliament will be conducting Public Hearings on the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment No. 3 Bill (H.B. 1, 2026) from 30 March 2026 to 02 April 2026.”
Once hearings are completed, the relevant Parliamentary committees will compile reports before the Bill is formally introduced in the National Assembly for debate and consideration.
Parliament has also created a deposit box at the old Parliament building in Harare Central to enable people to submit their views.
Today, public hearings will be conducted in Harare province, where consultations are scheduled for the Chitungwiza Aquatic Centre.
Tomorrow, the public hearings will take place at the Epworth Local Board and Harare City Centre.
In Bulawayo, public hearings are on today at City Hall.
In Midlands province, meetings will also be conducted today at the Gokwe Community Hall and Kwekwe Theatre, while the Nembudziya Council Offices in Gokwe will host the hearings tomorrow.
In Matabeleland South province, public hearings will also be held today at Hyn Hall in Esigodini, while Filabusi will host the consultations at the Insiza Rural District Council Hall.
Tomorrow, the public will gather in Bulilima and Mangwe, at the Nyele Community Hall and Sanzukwi Community Hall, respectively.
In Matabeleland North, public hearings will take place at the Tsholotsho Council Hall today and in Hwange Town at Adamant Hall and in Bubi at Tatazela Hall tomorrow.
In Masvingo province, the hearings also start today in Chiredzi Town at Chitsanga Hall and Zaka at Rudhanda Secondary School.
Tomorrow, they will take place in Bikita at Matsvange, at the Roman Catholic Church, while in Gutu district they will take place at Maungwa Secondary School.
In Mashonaland West, people gather today in Makonde district at Finland Business Centre, at Chipfunde Hall.
There will also be hearings today in Zvimba at Rafingora Community Hall and in Mhondoro-Ngezi at Mamina Council Hall.
Chegutu will hold its hearings at Chegutu Council Hall.
Tomorrow, Kariba district will host hearings at Makande Secondary School.
In Mashonaland East, consultations have been pencilled in for today in Chikomba at Council Hall, Dema Business Centre and Hwedza Flea Market Hall.
Tomorrow, the public hearings will take place in Marondera at Dombotombo Township, at Mbuya Nehanda Hall while in Goromonzi, people will gather at Chishawasha-Donhondzo Township, at St Peters Claver Primary School Grounds.
In Mashonaland Central, the hearings are set for today in Bindura in Chipadze Township and in Mazowe at Nzvimbo Business Centre.
Tomorrow, the consultations are set for Mt Darwin Council Hall and at Madziwa Business Centre in Shamva.
In Manicaland province, meetings will be held today in Nyanga at Nyamhuka Hall and in Mutasa at Manica Bridge Hall.
Tomorrow, meetings will take place in Makoni at the Chipembere Business Centre open space, while in Mutare, the hearings are set for Sakubva Beit Hall.
During an awareness meeting in Mutare last Friday, the Manicaland Provincial Chiefs Council threw its full weight behind Amendment Bill No.3 and pledged to encourage their communities to support the proposal, which they described as progressive.
All the chiefs from the province were present and discussed the proposed Bill before coming up with a common position that the Bill was in the interests of the nation, as it gives enough time for programmes and projects to be completed by President Mnangagwa, who initiated them.
Addressing the gathering, Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza, said his province has witnessed unprecedented development under President Mnangagwa’s leadership and he should be allowed to finish them by 2030.
“Developing a nation is not an overnight job, it requires time. If people remain in perpetual election mode, they will abandon developmental works and concentrate on power issues,” he said.
“A seven-year election cycle is good because it gives ample time to develop the country. President Mnangagwa has carried out works under National Development Strategy 1 and 2, which have transformed Manicaland Province and these should not be disturbed by elections in 2028.
“Currently, there is the upgrading of Forbes Border Post, Christmas Pass By-pass Road, and development of irrigation schemes at Osborne, Muchekeranwa and Marovanyati dams. He is also planning to construct the largest manmade dam in the country at the confluence of Save and Mucheke Rivers, which will be able to irrigate over 20 000 hectares.”
Adv Mugadza said the proposed Bill would also cure issues around the voters’ roll, which some people claim was in shambles because it is under the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.
In Harare, the Zanu PF provincial leadership also engaged tertiary students on Friday, who expressed readiness to participate in public hearings from today.
The students voiced support for Bill’s potential to promote stability and development.
The students are drawn from the University of Zimbabwe, Harare Polytechnic, Harare Institute of Technology, Women’s University and Belvedere Teachers’ College, among others.
They were taken through the provisions of the Bill by the provincial party leadership to ensure they understood its contents.
The engagement was organised by Zanu PF Harare provincial Political Commissar Cde Voyage Dambuza and Zanu PF Youth League Deputy Political Commissar Cde Taurai Kandishaya.
UZ student Isheanesu Mupiwa said they were ready to participate in public hearings next week.
“We are fully prepared and everyone is enthusiastic about the exercise. Between now and the public hearings, we will continue gathering information so we can respond more effectively to the issues raised,” said Mupiwa, a civil engineering student.
Another student, Emelda Chiumbunga said she was confident the Bill would address many issues affecting young people.
Cde Dambuza said the meeting was meant to educate the students about the importance of the Bill.
“As the leaders of tomorrow, they should understand that the Bill will benefit them. It is not about politics; it is about Zimbabwe’s future.
“The students are rallying behind the leadership of President Mnangagwa. They are eager to see the Bill sailing through,” said Cde Dambuza.
Zanu PF provincial chairman Cde Godwills Masimirembwa said he was impressed that the Bill is receiving strong support, including from college students.
“It is important for people to appreciate that their desires as captured in Resolution No. 1, made in Bulawayo and reinforced in Mutare, are actually being fulfilled by Constitutional Amendment No. 3 Bill,” said Cde Masimirembwa.
In Mashonaland West, traditional leaders and grassroots groups have rallied behind the proposed legislation.
The campaign, which started on Monday, saw the ruling party travelling through several districts to educate members and communities on the content and importance of the Bill ahead of nationwide public consultations starting today.
Party leadership launched the programme in Makande, Kariba, before moving to Kazangarare on Tuesday and Makonde on Wednesday.
The outreach continued in Sanyati and Chegutu on Friday, before concluding at Mamina in Mhondoro-Ngezi on Saturday, where party members expressed strong support for the proposed constitutional changes.
The end of the campaign coincided with a high-level meeting between the Government and 29 chiefs from across Mashonaland West, held in Chinhoyi on Friday, where traditional leaders unanimously endorsed the Bill.
ZANU PF Mashonaland West provincial chairperson, Cde Mary Mliswa-Chikoka, who led the awareness campaign, said the party was confident the Bill would sail through, citing strong support from both party members and traditional leaders.
“We have concluded the outreach and we are sure that our members are well-informed about the Bill. Our members will be ready to support and defend the Bill when the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee visits start,” she said at Mamina on Saturday.
Zanu PF provincial member, Cde Vangelis Haritatos, who also attended the Mhondoro-Ngezi meeting, said: “I am humbled by the response of our people in support of the Bill. As parliamentarians, the success of the Bill means that we get enough time to execute developmental projects during the seven years.”
Mhondoro-Ngezi Rural District Council, Ward 6 councillor, Cde Obrian Rwafa, who won the seat on the CCC ticket and has since switched to Zanu PF, supported the Bill saying President Mnangagwa deserved an extra two years to finish what he had started.
“I am fully behind the Bill as it gives President Mnangagwa two more years to complete his projects. He has done a lot to transform Zimbabwe,” he said.
During the engagement with traditional chiefs at the Mashonaland West Minister of State’s offices, Cde Mliswa-Chikoka said the party recognises traditional chiefs and their importance.
“As the ruling party, we recognise the critical role that traditional leaders play at the grassroots level in guiding communities and ensuring that national programmes are understood and embraced,” she said.
“Our relationship with chiefs is built on mutual respect and a shared vision for development. We urge them to continue mobilising their communities to actively participate in national processes such as the Constitutional Amendment No.3 Bill consultations,” she said.
Chairperson of the Mashonaland West Chiefs Council, Senator Chief Ngezi, said: “As traditional leaders, we strongly believe that His Excellency the President deserves the opportunity to see Zimbabwe attain Vision 2030, which is already taking shape through various development initiatives across the country.
“We have observed that unnecessary political contestation often hampers progress at the community level, yet our people are yearning for tangible development.
“That is why we support measures that promote stability and continuity in leadership. Our role in governance is not new. Historically, we have always been part of the political and social fabric of this country, dating back to the First Chimurenga where chiefs played a central role in guiding and mobilising our people.”
Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Marian Chombo, said Government would continue engaging traditional leaders on key national issues.
“Government greatly values the role of traditional leaders, which is why we continue to consult you on key national issues such as this Bill,” she said.
“Chiefs are the link between the Government and communities, and your involvement ensures that policies and development programmes are effectively implemented on the ground.
“The Constitutional Amendment No. 3 Bill will help create an environment where national projects are not only initiated, but also completed, as leadership stability allows for continuity and sustained progress across all sectors.”
Among other issues, the Constitutional Amendment No. 3 Bill proposes a Parliamentary process for the election of the President and seeks to replace the current five-year Presidential term with a seven-year tenure, instead of the current direct vote under the first-past-the-post electoral system.
The post Amendment No.3 Bill goes to the people appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.