THE ruling Zanu PF party is in a state of panic following strong objections raised by retired army generals and some war veterans challenging the controversial Constitutional Amendment Bill No 3, NewsDay has established.
In a petition signed by Air Marshal (Rtd) Henry Muchena, a group of war veterans and retired generals last week called on Parliament to subject the proposed constitutional amendments to a referendum.
Muchena, a former senior party official who once led the Zanu PF commissariat, warned against allowing a small group of legislators to unilaterally alter fundamental national principles.
In their submissions to Parliament, they fired a salvo at unnamed Zanu PF-linked moneybags referred to as zvigananda for driving what they termed a constitutional coup.
Constitutional Amendment Number 3 Bill seeks to extend the tenure of Parliament and that of the President by two years from 2028, when they constitutionally expire.
It also proposes abolishing direct presidential elections as well as the Zimbabwe Gender Commission, among many other sweeping changes to the Constitution.
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Critics of the amendments said the Bill must be subjected to a referendum in line with certain sections of the Constitution.
The government and the ruling Zanu PF party insist there is no need for a referendum and that the right to amend the country’s charter rests only with Parliament.
In their submissions, the former generals and war veterans said they would not remain silent and fold their arms while the Constitution is being changed without referendum.
In 2017, the army pushed the late former President Robert Mugabe out of office. At the time, Mugabe enjoyed massive support from G40, a Zanu PF rival faction that was pushing for his extended stay in office despite failing health.
Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda told NewsDay last week that Parliament was receiving submissions from a variety of stakeholders.
There was panic during a Zanu PF Manicaland provincial co-ordination committee meeting in Mutare during the weekend, with members acknowledging the influence of the war veterans and retired generals opposed to the proposed changes.
Party members, including former top government spy and central committee member Shadreck Chipanga, emphasised the need for thorough deliberation before launching an outreach programme in favour of the Bill.
“I am an expert in the Constitution. I have learned about it and I have been to several countries. We need to discuss everything because we are going to meet great minds out there,” Chipanga said.
Provincial youth leader Stanley Sakupwanya defended the amendments during the meeting, downplaying the opposition’s fears.
“Just a reminder, this is not the only constitutional amendment we have had in this country. The Constitution is not under attack; it changes with time,” he said.
However, Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution minister Misheck Mugadza asserted that the party was prepared for an outreach programme to rally support for the amendment.
“We are ready for the outreach programme and we had a class today on Amendment Bill Number 3,” he said, reaffirming their commitment to educating party members about the changes.
A schedule from Parliament indicates that 64 public hearings will be held between March 30 and April 2, averaging fewer than seven per province over four days.
By contrast, the 2013 Constitution involved 4 821 public outreach meetings across 1 950 wards over 105 days under the Constitutional Select Committee.