Online Reporter
Farirai Machivenyika,[email protected]
THE debate on the Constitutional Amendment Bill No.3 continued in the National Assembly yesterday, with the House winding up submissions in the second reading stage.
The House has already suspended other business of the House to prioritise debate on the historic Bill
Yesterday, the House also agreed to reduce the time allocated to individual MPs to debate from 20 minutes to 10 minutes to enable more legislators to air their views.
Harare Metropolitan Province Representative Cde Nyasha Chikwinya said the Bill was important in fulfilling the country’s development aspirations.
“The Bill will enable the country to focus on development projects as we carry over our struggle for self- determination that began during the First Chimurenga,” she said.
Uzumba legislator, Cde Wiriranai Muchemwa, said President Mnangagwa and the Second Republic had completed tangible development projects across the country and said the extension of the electoral cycle from five years to seven years would assist in the completion of outstanding projects.
“We have had various development projects in Uzumba, which include the ongoing construction of a state-of-the-art black granite polishing plant that will enable the people of Uzumba to benefit from their resources,” he said.
Cde Faith Makaza a Proportional Representative MP from Masvingo Province, said she supported the Bill as it prioritised long-term development aspirations of the country.
“The proposal to extend the country’s electoral cycle will increase focus on development instead of politics, which has stunted development and caused divisions in the past,” she said.
Cde Lillian Zemura said the CAB 3 was a progressive Bill, but cautioned against disbanding the Zimbabwe Gender Commission.
“The Gender Commission has done great work for women’s empowerment and I am against joining it with the Human Rights Commission.
“What we actually need is to strengthen it and ensure it proceeds with implementing its mandate,” she said.
