Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba, [email protected]
THE Midlands Province has declared its full support for the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Bill (Number Three) of 2026, which proposes extending the election cycle from five to seven years and introducing a Parliamentary election of the President, among other changes.
The Bill was gazetted last week and now enters a 90 day public consultation period before it is presented to Parliament for debate.
Following recent Cabinet approval and gazetting of the draft Amendment, the Zanu-PF Midlands provincial leadership and affiliated groups have welcomed the Bill, citing alignment with Vision 2030 and the need for political stability.
Analysts say the proposed amendments are intended to strengthen constitutional governance, clarify institutional responsibilities, improve political stability and enhance the efficiency of State structures.
Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Owen Ncube (pictured), said the Bill would help align Zimbabwe’s electoral framework with regional norms. He urged unity among citizens as the nation works towards Vision 2030.
Ncube also highlighted the importance of affiliate registration within ruling party cell structures.
“As the Midlands Province, we are fully behind the draft Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill, which speaks of the needs and wants of us patriotic Zimbabweans. We are very confident that it will sail through Parliament and allow the Second Republic to continue with the fulfilment of people centric programmes and projects,” he said.
Minister Ncube commended the province’s unity and urged affiliates to remain vigilant. He also highlighted President Mnangagwa’s development initiatives, including the release of devolution funds to local authorities for projects such as clinics and boreholes.
Ncube said the Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 stems from the ruling party’s Resolution 1, endorsed at the Zanu-PF National People’s Conference.
“Cabinet approved Amendment Bill 3, which aligns with this mandate, allowing President Mnangagwa to lead until 2030. This underscores Zanu -PF’s commitment to development, unity, and safeguarding the province’s progress,” he said.
Zanu-PF Midlands provincial chairperson, Cde Edson Chakanyuka Chiherenge, said party affiliates across the province had unanimously endorsed Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 and supported the proposal for President Mnangagwa to remain in office until 2030.
“The province has reaffirmed its commitment to continuity, stability, and the fulfilment of the national development agenda,” he said.
Midlands Province war veterans’ chairperson, Cde Amos Jaravaza Mapingire, said liberation fighters had also reaffirmed backing for the draft amendment.
“We’re reaffirming our unwavering stance as liberation fighters, declaring full support for Resolution Number 1 and the Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3,” said Cde Mapingire.
He said war veterans remained committed to defending the revolution and supporting President Mnangagwa’s vision.
Midlands provincial Zanu-PF youth chairperson, Cde Enerst Dzoro, said youths were confident the Bill would be adopted and would support continued national leadership.
He stressed unity and loyalty, urging members to rally behind Resolution Number 1 and Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3.
Meanwhile, writing on his X handle, Zanu-PF Treasurer General Cde Patrick Chinamasa said the Bill extends the election cycle.
“That’s all it’s doing, to elongate the election cycle from five to seven years for everyone, from councillors to the President. It’s not specific to a person. In essence, we elected to uphold the Presidential term limit in its entirety, refraining from any alteration to Section 91(2) or any facet of Section 328, particularly Subsection (7),” he said.
Cde Chinamasa said the stance reflected a commitment to democratic norms and clarified that the proposal concerns “election cycles and not term limits”.
He said the public should support the Bill in the interests of “peace, unity, stability, continuity, progress, economic and technological development. For development to take place, a country needs sustained implementation of progressive policies over generations.
The People’s Republic of China is a good example, which we should emulate. In less than half a century China has successfully transformed itself from a largely agrarian underdeveloped country ranking as one of the poorest countries in the world to a leading economic, industrial and technological powerhouse,” said Cde Chinamasa.
After the 90 day public consultation, the Bill will be tabled before Parliament, where the relevant Portfolio Committee will conduct public hearings.
The Bill will not be referred to the Parliamentary Legal Committee. After its First Reading, it will proceed to the Second Reading, which outlines its objectives. It will then move to the Committee Stage for clause by clause scrutiny, where additional amendments may be made.
Before adoption, the Bill requires a two thirds majority of the total membership of the National Assembly. If passed, it will proceed to Senate, where a similar process follows.
