OUTSPOKEN Zipra ex-combatant Max Mkandla has said Zimbabwe needs development and empowerment, not elections, arguing that government should prioritise citizens’ welfare over electoral cycles.
Mkandla made the remarks amid ongoing debate over the Constitutional Amendment No 3 Bill (CAB3), which seeks to extend the presidential term cycle and alter the system of electing the head of State. Critics say the reforms risk consolidating power and weakening democratic accountability, while supporters argue that they can improve governance efficiency.
He said the Constitutional Amendment No 3 Bill being pushed through Parliament was a clear indication that elections in Zimbabwe were a waste of time and resources.
The government is pushing for the controversial CAB3 through Parliament, although the proposed amendments have faced criticism from various sections of society.
Among the controversial amendments are increasing the election cycle from five to seven years and electing the country’s President through Parliament, among others.
Critics argue that the Bill is a move to consolidate power in the ruling establishment while extending the incumbent’s tenure by a further two years.
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Mkandla called on the government to engage citizens and listen to their priorities.
“If the government does what people want, it will not worry about being removed from power. If it serves the people, people will not want it to leave,” the Civic Society and Churches Joint Forum national coordinator said.
“People are concerned that elections have, for several years, led to loss of lives and there has been no development. Poverty is too much in society despite the country holding elections every five years.
“So people are saying the postponement of elections will bring relief to them and save lives that may be lost during elections. People want development and empowerment, full stop.”
The ex-combatant said the country’s resources should directly benefit citizens.
“Government must empower its citizens. It must sell mineral and natural resources and give everyone capital to start their own business.
“In Zimbabwe, we are around 15-16 million and the government must give people at least US$500 000 each to sustain themselves, rather than just watching a few people splashing money when the majority live in poverty,” he said.
Mkandla, however, warned that poverty breeds social unrest in the country.
Meanwhile, human rights defender Abigale Mupambi accused former members of the Political Actors Dialogue (Polad) of hypocrisy in opposing CAB3.
“Some of you people who are now opposed to the constitutional amendments were in Polad. You benefited from government-allocated vehicles, fuel and others, as you did not oppose that,” she charged.
“Was that in the Constitution? When you were benefiting, you did not oppose the unconstitutional move. Now, why are you making noise about CAB3?”