Source: Zanu PF, CCC hail bipartisan support for CAB 3 – herald
Zanu PF Chief Whip Cde Pupurai Togarepi hailed the adoption of the proposed amendments. “The overwhelming support of the Bill across the political divide is a clear testimony to the desire by the people of Zimbabwe to have progressive laws,” he said.Farirai Machivenyika-Senior Reporter
ZANU PF and CCC have hailed the bipartisan support for Constitutional Amendment No. 3 Bill, which was passed in the National Assembly on Thursday, saying this is indicative of Zimbabweans’ wish to have progressive laws required for the country’s development.
CAB3 was passed with an overwhelming majority across the political divide, with 216 MPs voting in favour of the Bill, while 42 were against.
Zanu PF Chief Whip Cde Pupurai Togarepi hailed the adoption of the proposed amendments.
“The overwhelming support of the Bill across the political divide is a clear testimony to the desire by the people of Zimbabwe to have progressive laws,” he said.
“I am excited that the Honourable Members were satisfied with the Bill and what it seeks to achieve. This will allow the current and future governments to work with this forward-looking Constitution as we strive to achieve the development of our people.”
CCC’s interim spokesperson, Nqobizitha Mlilo, said the opposition party had allowed its MPs to debate and vote freely without toeing any party line.
“Ahead of this historic vote, the party made a deliberate decision to allow our MPs a free conscience vote,” he said.
“By not imposing a rigid party line, we empowered our MPs to vote in line with the expressed will of their constituencies and their own considered judgment.
“The result of the vote, therefore, reflects the practice of a free and open democracy.”
Mr Mlilo said as the Bill proceeds to the Senate, his party called on members of the public and politicians to engage each other civilly.
“As the Bill proceeds to the Senate for further consideration, we urge all citizens and political actors to engage with civility, decorum and political tolerance,” Mr Mlilo added. “Building national consensus and a united nation remains our central priority.”
He said with the forthcoming debate in the Senate, both parties must be guided by the principle of nation-building.
“All parties must be guided by the core principle of sustainable nation-building,” he said. “The time has come for deliberate, collaborative effort to bring a lasting end to political strife and conflict in our country.”
Political commentator Mr Dereck Goto said the bipartisan support of the Bill showed maturity in the country’s body politic.
“The support across political lines shows maturity in the country’s politics that is above partisanship,” he said. “This shows that the Bill was accepted on its merits, and that can only be good for the country’s development.”
The Bill will now be transmitted to the Senate, with the Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Ziyambi Ziyambi, expected to present his second reading speech on Tuesday before senators debate it.
After debate, the Bill will be scrutinised at the committee stage, where the Senate will consider it clause by clause. It will then be subjected to a vote, where it must also garner a two-thirds majority for it to sail through.
If it is passed by the Senate, it will then be transmitted to President Mnangagwa for his assent.
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