Online Reporter
Samuel Kadungure
News Editor
MUTARE North legislator, Cde Admire Mahachi told Parliament this morning he “unequivocally supports” all provisions of Constitutional Amendment Bill Number 3, saying the changes would strengthen governance and advance national development.
Speaking in the National Assembly, the ZANU PF Central Committee member said CAB3 would “strengthen the architecture of governance, enhance institutional effectiveness, and advance the long-term developmental aspirations of our nation”.
Presenting views from “the patriotic people of Mutare North”, Cde Mahachi highlighted five provisions.
He backed extending the terms of the President and Parliament from five to seven years, arguing that short political cycles split Government focus between governance and elections. The extension would create “sufficient policy space for national development objectives to mature, consolidate, and yield measurable results”, he said.
He also supported establishing a dedicated Zimbabwe Electoral Delimitation Commission, noting the process required expertise in demography, cartography and population dynamics to bolster professionalism and public confidence.
Cde Mahachi further endorsed empowering the President to appoint 10 additional Senators based on professional skills and competence.
“Contemporary governance challenges are increasingly complex and require informed legislative scrutiny,” he said., adding that including experts would enrich debate, strengthen oversight and improve policy formulation.
On the judiciary, he backed expanding the Constitutional Court’s jurisdiction to hear points of law of general public importance, saying it would promote legal clarity on issues with “far-reaching implications for governance, administration, and the rule of law”.
Cde Mahachi also supported consolidating gender equality functions within the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission to improve coordination, reduce duplication and optimise resources, reinforcing that “gender rights are human rights.
A Constitution must give the State “institutional capacity, stability, and foresight” to meet citizens’ aspirations, Cde Mahachi said.
The proposed provisions, he argued, would enhance policy continuity, broaden legislative expertise and improve constitutional administration.
“They speak to a vision of a modern, resilient, and development-oriented State capable of delivering tangible outcomes for present and future generations,” he said, linking the Bill to Vision 2030.
“Accordingly, I submit that these amendments represent a progressive refinement of our governance architecture and a strategic investment in Zimbabwe’s long-term stability, prosperity, and constitutional maturity,” he said.
CAB3 was introduced in Parliament this week for its first and second reading.
The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs reported 530 000 written submissions in support and 2 935 opposed.
Debate on the Bill continued in the National Assembly after Cde Mahachi’s address.
