Online Reporter
Gibson Mhaka
ECONOMIC Freedom Fighters (EFF) Zimbabwe leader, Mr Innocent Ndibali has hailed the massive turnout of Bulawayo residents at the Large City Hall and Nketa Hall during public hearings on the proposed Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No 3) Bill.
Thousands of residents thronged the two venues to air their views, with the majority expressing support for the Bill.
In an interview, Mr Ndibali said the overwhelming attendance and participation demonstrated that Zimbabweans were backing the proposed constitutional amendments.
“The turnout was massive and it is a testament that people are supporting the proposed changes. The contributions from residents were very mature and clearly showed that the majority of the people of Bulawayo are in support of the Bill,” he said.
Mr Ndibali said his party had consistently supported the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No 3) Bill, adding that there was nothing unusual about some of the proposed changes, including the extension of the Presidential term.
“We have been very clear as EFF Zimbabwe that we are in full support of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No 3) Bill. We have been on record saying there is nothing wrong with extending the President’s term from five to seven years,” he said.
Mr Ndibali lashed out at some opposition figures and activists who have been campaigning against the Bill, accusing them of misleading the public.
“There are people who are misleading others that the Bill is retrogressive, the likes of Tendai Biti, Douglas Mwonzora and Professor Lovemore Madhuku. Just imagine Professor Madhuku was part of the Political Actors Dialogue (Polad) and now he is trying to mislead people,” he said.
Mr Ndibali said the proposal for Parliament to elect the President was in line with practices in other countries and should not be viewed as controversial.
“In South Africa, the President is chosen through Parliament and there is nothing wrong with that. Those elected into Parliament are trusted by the people to make such decisions on their behalf including electing the President,” he said.
Mr Ndibali said the high attendance at the hearings had shamed detractors and opposition activists who had been campaigning against the Bill.
“The huge turnout and the level of participation have shown that people are interested and are supporting these proposed changes despite the noise from detractors,” he said.
The public hearings, which were held countrywide, are meant to gather citizens’ views on the proposed constitutional amendments before they are considered for adoption.
