Online Reporter
George Maponga in GUTU
CITIZENS in Gutu District have thrown their full weight behind Constitutional Amendment Bill Number 3 at a Parliament-led public hearing at Maungwa High School in Gutu South.
The public hearing was attended by various citizens from across Gutu District, including traditional leaders led by Chief Serima, Mr Vengesai Rushwaya.
Various speakers said they fully supported the proposed changes, which they suggested will help diffuse tension caused by elections, allowing development to take place under a veil of sustained stability.
Mr Josphat Sarukore of Gutu South said he supported extending the Presidential term from 5 to 7 years and also terms of legislators and councillors.
“Increasing the term for our elected office bearers from 5 to 7 years will give them ample time to complete developmental projects while also helping to cure divisions and tension that always take place in the run-up and just before elections,” he said.
“A lot of time is always lost to electioneering because the country will always be in election mode.”
Ambuya Flora Chitando of Gutu Central also spoke in support of the Bill and even suggested that the Presidential term be increased by 20 years, as regular elections are sapping the nation’s energy and focus.
Chief Serima welcomed the bill, saying that it allows traditional chiefs to openly participate in politics and will allow them to exercise their rights.
“As chiefs, we were instrumental in the waging of the war against colonialism, leading to independence,” he said.
“The land is under our control, and to this day we have traditional leaders like Chief Chingaira Makoni, Mapondera and others whose heads were decapitated by our colonisers and taken to Western museums.
“These heads were chopped off because chiefs led the fight for control of their land, so why disallow them to openly participate in politics? asked Chief Serima.
