ZANU PF legal secretary Ziyambi Ziyambi has reiterated that voting on the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment No 3 Bill (CAB 3) in Parliament will be conducted through a show of hands, a process he claims promotes transparency and accountability among elected representatives.
CAB 3, which will be introduced in Parliament tomorrow, seeks to make far-reaching changes to the supreme law by extending the tenures of the President, lawmakers and councillors to seven years from five. If the proposal sails through, President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s tenure will be increased by two years to 2030.
CAB 3 also proposes that Parliament will elect the President instead of using the one-man one-vote system. Critics say the reforms require the consent of the public through a referendum. Zanu PF and Parliament say a referendum is not required.
The proposed amendments have emerged as one of the most contentious political issues in recent years, drawing criticism from opposition parties, civil society organisations and constitutional experts. Critics argue that some of the proposed changes alter key provisions of the Constitution and should, therefore, be subjected to a national referendum, while Zanu PF and Parliament maintain that the amendments can be enacted through the existing parliamentary process.
Addressing a Zanu PF provincial coordinating committee meeting in Chinhoyi on Saturday, Ziyambi, who is also Justice minister, dismissed calls for a secret ballot, claiming open voting ensures public accountability and forces MPs to represent their constituents transparently.
“We want our Zanu PF candidates to be voted for. So, if they come fooling you that a secret ballot is the best because MPs will be bribed, refuse, because it will be public voting and transparent,” Ziyambi said.
In remarks that appeared to acknowledge concerns about vote-buying, Ziyambi urged party supporters to remain loyal to Zanu PF regardless of inducements from political opponents.
“But if they come with money, take it, but know who to support,” he added.
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Ziyambi praised Mashonaland West province for its mobilisation efforts in support of the proposed constitutional amendments, saying the province recorded the highest participation levels during consultations and in written submissions.
“In terms of consultative meetings, Mashonaland West was the best and for written submissions, you were the highest. Your public hearings were full house . . . the mobilisation was excellent,” Ziyambi said.
Ziyambi’s remarks come amid growing debate over the constitutional amendment process and the manner in which legislators are expected to vote on the Bill.
Meanwhile, self-styled Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) secretary-general Sengezo Tshabangu has defended Zimbabwe’s constitutional amendment process, arguing that it is more consultative than those of several Southern African Development Community (Sadc) member States.
Tshabangu, who faces criticism from some opposition members over allegations that he is compelling CCC legislators to support CAB 3, made the remarks in a post on X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday.
He said countries such as Botswana, Seychelles, South Africa, and Namibia used constitutional amendment procedures that did not require extended public consultations or referendums.
“They do not take long to amend their respective constitutions because, in most of those countries, they do not employ the 90-day consultative period or the referendum process,” Tshabangu said.
He noted that Zimbabwe requires a referendum when proposed constitutional amendments affect key provisions, including the Bill of Rights, land rights and presidential term limits.
According to Tshabangu, several countries in the region process constitutional amendments through Cabinet approval, gazetting and parliamentary debate before a final vote and presidential assent.
“Instead, they simply take the proposed amendments to Cabinet, followed by gazetting, before they are taken to Parliament for debate and voting. If the Bill passes with a two-thirds majority, it is then taken to Senate before receiving presidential assent,” he said.
Tshabangu argued that Zimbabwe’s constitutional amendment process, although lengthy and complex, enhances democratic participation and accountability.
“My submission rests on the fact that we are a bit more democratic here in Zimbabwe than most other Sadc member States when it comes to issues related to constitutional amendments,” he said.
