Online Reporter
Gibson Mhaka-Zimpapers Politics Hub
AS THE 90-day public consultation period for the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill of 2026 enters high gear, a powerful wave of provincial endorsements has underscored a growing national consensus.
From the industrial heartland of the Midlands to the metropolitan hub of Bulawayo and the resource-rich Matabeleland North, the message from the grassroots is clear: the proposed reforms are a prerequisite for political stability and the uninterrupted fulfillment of Vision 2030.
The Bill, which proposes extending the presidential term from five to seven years and introducing a parliamentary system for the election of the President, is not merely a legal adjustment, but as a strategic fortification of the Second Republic’s development agenda.
The Midlands: A fortress of support
Leading the provincial charge, the Midlands province has declared its total backing for the Bill, citing its alignment with the aspirations of “patriotic Zimbabweans.” Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Owen Ncube, emphasised that the amendment is a direct product of the ruling party’s mandate.
“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,” said Minister Ncube.
He further noted that the Bill aligns with Resolution 1 of the Zanu-PF National People’s Conference, effectively “allowing President Mnangagwa to lead until 2030.”
This sentiment was echoed by ZANU PF Midlands provincial chair, Cde Edson Chakanyuka Chiherenge, who noted that the province had “unanimously endorsed” the proposal to ensure continuity and stability.
Bulawayo: Asserting Sovereignty
In Bulawayo, the discourse has taken a historical and legalistic tone. ZANU PF Bulawayo provincial chair, Cde Jabulani Sibanda, argued that the ability to amend the Constitution is a hallmark of a truly sovereign people.
Drawing a sharp contrast with the British legal system, Cde Sibanda noted that Zimbabwe’s written supreme law explicitly provides for its own evolution.
“What we are doing now—proposing amendments—is fully permitted within our Constitution. It allows us to govern and amend our laws to enable our development as we see fit, according to our own vision and not the vision of outsiders,” he said.
Framing the Bill as a shield against foreign interference, he urged those with grievances to approach the “revolutionary garage” for repairs rather than seeking foreign-funded alternatives.
Matabeleland North: Synchronising for development
Further North, Minister of State for Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Cde Richard Moyo, highlighted the practical administrative benefits of the Bill.
Speaking in Nyamandlovu, he pointed out that the seven-year term and the parliamentary election of the President are practices already mirrored in regional neighbours like South Africa and Angola.
“The people have agreed that we want an extension of the President’s tenure to 2030 so that he can complete his developmental projects.
“When the majority speaks, the only option is to join the train and move forward with the rest of the nation,” Minister Moyo said.
He underscored that the extension would “synchronise the electoral calendar,” ensuring that resources are directed toward clinics, roads, and dams rather than perpetual electioneering.
Legislative readiness and expert validation
In Parliament, the ruling party is ready to exercise its two-thirds majority to see the Bill through. ZANU PF Chief Whip Cde Pupurai Togarepi described the Bill as a “comprehensive antidote” to the toxicity of previous election cycles.
“The election of the President will be done by Parliament, putting us in the same league as other stable democracies like South Africa and Botswana.
“This model cuts the enormous costs of nationwide presidential campaigns—a drain on the fiscus—and minimises the toxicity that has characterised previous elections,” Cde Togarepi said.
Political commentator Mr Dereck Goto noted that the reform is about “structure determining sustainability,” aiming for long-term administrative efficiency.
As the Bill moves toward its First Reading, the momentum from the provinces suggests that the “2030” slogan is rapidly transitioning from a political rallying cry into a “legal reality.”
