Online Reporter
Gibson Mhaka, Thupeyo Muleya and Mthabisi Tshuma
PUBLIC hearings for the proposed Constitutional Amendment No. 3 Bill ended yesterday, with scores of people from across Nkayi and Beitbridge districts delivering a resounding “yes” to the Bill.
The districts joined multitudes of other Zimbabweans who have already supported the amendments.
There were packed venues in Nkayi, Matabeleland North and Beitbridge in Matabeleland South, where participants overwhelmingly endorsed the Bill.
Only two individuals in Nkayi, out of a significant majority, expressed opposing views.
The hearing was characterised by robust contributions from a cross-section of society, including traditional leaders, war veterans and former and current legislators, most of whom centred their support on the extension of the Presidential and Parliamentary terms to allow completion of outstanding projects.
Former Member of Parliament for Nkayi South, Cde Stars Mathe, threw her weight behind the clause proposing the extension of the Presidential Parliamentary and local government terms from five to seven years.
Drawing from her own legislative experience, she argued that the current five-year cycle is insufficient for seeing major capital projects to fruition.
“As a former Member of Parliament, I have the experience that five years is simply not enough. I have many projects that I left unfinished. Extending the terms allows a leader enough time to push and complete critical development projects for the benefit of the people,” she said.
Member of Parliament for Nkayi North, Dr Sithembiso Nyoni, lauded the democratic nature of the proceedings.
She noted that the high turnout and the near-unanimous support reflected the will of the grassroots.
“As His Excellency President Mnangagwa always says, ‘The voice of the people is the voice of God’. The people who converged here at Agape Hall have resoundingly supported the Bill, and that voice must be respected,” said Cde Nyoni.
“We thank the people for coming out in such numbers to express their views. The fact that we had two people opposing and giving their reasons actually demonstrates the democratic nature of this public hearing process. It shows that everyone was given a platform.”
Zanu PF Central Committee member for Nkayi North, Cde Sihle Moyo, expressed her satisfaction with the clause aimed at restoring and protecting the political rights of traditional leaders.
“I fully support all the clauses in the Bill. We want to thank the parliamentary team for coming to Nkayi to gather our views. Specifically, Clause 21, which supports the restoration of the rights of our traditional leaders, is a very welcome development that respects our heritage,” she said.
Retired police Commissioner Mandlenkosi Moyo, a former spokesperson for Bulawayo province, provided a legal perspective on the term extension.
He argued that the proposed shift to align with the Vision 2030 goals is a procedural necessity requested by the people.
“Looking at the clause regarding the extension of the terms to 2030, the Constitution defines a full term as three years or more. Therefore, an extension of two years is not atrocious to the Constitution, it is a legal adjustment to ensure continuity,” Comm (Rtd) Moyo explained.
He said the people of Nkayi were eager for the President to oversee the completion of ongoing national projects.
“People here are passionate about this because there are many fortunes and projects that must be finished. We are concerned that any change in leadership might stall the current progress. We are happy the President is agreeable to this because it is we, the people, who requested him to lead us until 2030,” he said.
In Beitbridge residents turned up in numbers at Lutumba Growth Point for the public hearings as early as 7am.
Matabeleland South youth quota Member of Parliament Tinashe Mushipe led the proceedings at Lutumba.
Religious leaders from Beitbridge under the Apostolic Christian Council of Zimbabwe (ACCZ) have thrown their weight behind the Bill.
Meanwhile, Bulilima Constituency legislator Cde Dingumuzi Phuti, who conducted a tour of the legacy science laboratory at Gwambe Secondary School accompanied by former Bulilima East MP Cde Mathias Siqhoza Ndlovu, said the Constitution Amendment Bill seeks to promote policy continuity and sustainable long‑term national development.
“Bill Number 3 aims to strengthen governance, enhance development and create opportunities for sustainable growth aligned with Vision 2030,” he said.
“It will also allow Members of Parliament to vote for the President, something that is being done in Botswana and South Africa, among other countries. I am fully behind the Bill as it will help President Mnangagwa achieve Vision 2030 of an upper-middle-income society.
“We will also be able to finish the projects we are doing in the ward and across the constituency.”
