Online Reporter
Samuel Kadungure
News Editor
CONSTITUTIONAL Amendment Bill Number 3 is a “done deal” because it has majority citizen support and ZANU PF commands the two-thirds parliamentary majority needed for it to pass, the party treasurer-general, Cde Patrick Chinamasa has said.
Addressing a CAB3 solidarity rally at Mutare Teachers’ College this afternoon, Cde Chinamasa said parliamentarians are expected to “score a winning goal as there is no goalkeeper at the gate”.
He hailed the large turnout for CAB3 public hearings in Manicaland.
He said the Bill seeks to extend presidential, parliamentary and local authority terms to 2030.
“A hunter hunts with his own dogs, and the President, together with the current parliament and local authorities, will remain in office until 2030, and what this means is there are no elections in 2028.
During the 2023 elections, Government spent nearly US$200 million, and I will not mention how much the ruling party spent. All that money will now be saved and used elsewhere to develop the country,” said Cde Chinamasa, adding that Zimbabweans will still exercise their right to vote for MPs, who will in turn elect the President.
Cde Chinamasa said ZANU PF is computerising its cell membership to establish an exact database and unlock annual subscriptions for the party.
“At the moment the party is surviving on donations from businessmen like Cde Paul Tungwarara, Cde Kudakwashe Tagwirei, Cde Wicknell Chivhayo, and Cde Scott Sakupwanya, who fortunately hails from Manicaland,” said Cde Chinamasa, adding that he has agreed with the businessmen that all donations will be channelled through his office and receipted, with three signatories required for withdrawals to ensure transparency.
An audit of past empowerment funds and pledges will be conducted, he said.
Central Committee member, Cde Paul Tungwarara said empowerment was not stopped, but a new disbarment structure is being finalised.
“Previous empowerment was a disaster as it didn’t reach beneficiaries. It now has to be done through the party, with all contributions through the treasurer-general to ensure transparency.
We want to thank the President for developing the country, which is why people are saying the President is going nowhere until 2030. We don’t foresee anything that can stop the Bill,” said Cde Tungwarara.
ZANU PF Manicaland provincial chairman, Cde Tawanda Mukodza said the party is united, and thanked the women, youth and war veterans leagues for canvassing support for CAB3.
He appealed for completion of the Presidential Constituency Empowerment Fund in three Mutare constituencies.
Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza cited a number of infrastructural development projects, including the Christmas Pass Bypass Road, in Manicaland, warranting a Presidential term extension to 2030.
He said Kondo Dam, set to be constructed at the confluence of the Save and Mucheke rivers, will be bigger than Tugwi Mukosi Dam in Masvingo Province.
Secretary for War Veterans in the Politburo, Cde Douglas Mahiya thanked President Mnangagwa for empowering war veterans and urged him to sign the Bill once approved by Parliament.
