Online Reporter
Samuel Kadungure
News Editor
MANICALAND residents have welcomed President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s assent to Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3, describing the move as a significant milestone that paves the way for a renewed focus on national development, stability and unity as Zimbabwe advances towards Vision 2030.
The Bill, now officially known as the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Act, was promulgated through an Extraordinary Government Gazette issued on Tuesday by Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr Martin Rushwaya.
Among its key provisions, the Act extends the presidential electoral cycle from five to seven years, and introduces a new mechanism under which Parliament will sit as an Electoral College after a general election to elect the President.
The development marks a major shift in the country’s constitutional and governance framework.
With President Mnangagwa’s assent, the provisions contained in the Act now come into effect.
The signing of the Bill follows months of legislative processes that began with its gazetting in February this year, and included nationwide public consultations conducted by Parliament to gather citizens’ views on the proposed amendments.
Speaking on the development, Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza, said the new law will enable the nation to devote greater attention to economic growth, infrastructure development and improved service delivery.
He said the legislation creates an opportunity for Zimbabweans to consolidate national unity and focus on transformative development initiatives aimed at improving livelihoods and achieving the objectives of Vision 2030.
Minister Mugadza added that reducing the frequency of election-related activities will allow the Government and other stakeholders to channel more time, resources and energy towards implementing key development programmes that benefit communities across the country.
“We would like to thank our President, Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa, for appending his signature to the Bill. This new Act is good for the country. It is good for the developmental trajectory that this country has taken. We are happy that we are now going to be focused on development as we move towards Vision 2030. It is a great moment for the country. Those who have remained behind will, as we move on, see the importance and goodness of this new Act,” said Minister Mugadza, adding that elections had previously been a source of polarisation, and the new arrangement will provide seven years of uninterrupted focus on service delivery.
“Elections have been a problem now and again due to polarisation. That is now a thing of the past. We are now going to have seven years of uninterrupted developmental focus, and our people will be more concerned with development than with many things that do not really benefit us as a nation,” he said, while also thanking MPs and senators for supporting the Bill, and calling on residents to remain united behind the President’s leadership.
“I would like to thank the people of Manicaland for supporting the Bill, and our MPs and senators who voted for it. Let us continue to be united. To those who are not too happy with it, there is no harm in joining the rest of the country as we move together as one unit under the leadership of President Mnangagwa,” said Minister Mugadza.
ZANU PF Manicaland provincial chairman, Cde Tawanda Mukodza, described the newly assented law as a major milestone, and triumph for development, and the empowerment of citizens.
He said it clears the path for uninterrupted delivery of projects across the province and nation.
Cde Mukodza said the legislation provides policy certainty that will allow the Government, the private sector and communities to focus on production, infrastructure and service delivery up to 2030.
“With President Mnangagwa at the helm until 2030, the aspirations of our people enshrined in Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy (NDS2) can now be actualised right down to the grassroots. This law is, not about politics, but about bread on the table, jobs for our youths, clinics in our wards, and roads that connect our farms to the markets. It is about giving Manicaland the stability to build,” said Cde Mukodza, adding that the new law will unlock long-term planning in key sectors such as agriculture, mining, tourism and manufacturing – all of which are critical to Manicaland’s growth trajectory.
He added that transformation already underway in the province will be accelerated, and urged citizens to rally behind the President’s vision and reject divisive politics.
“In Manicaland, we are witnessing construction of highways, rehabilitation of irrigation schemes, and expansion of rural electrification. This law cements that momentum. This is the dawn of a new Manicaland. Under President Mnangagwa, development is not a promise. It is a programme, and it is moving. Let us guard the peace, work hard, and ensure that no one and no place is left behind as we march towards an upper middle-income society by 2030. This is a turning point for Manicaland,” said Cde Mukodza.
ZANU PF Youth League vice-chairman, Cde Wilson Nyamande, said the new law is a direct boost for young people, and a catalyst for youth empowerment, job creation and skills development across the country.
He said the legislation provides the policy stability needed for Government and the private sector to roll out youth-centred programmes without interruption up to 2030.
“This law is good for the youths. It means more vocational training centres, more funding for youth projects, and more opportunities in agriculture, mining, ICT and manufacturing. With President Mnangagwa providing firm leadership until 2030, we now have seven years to build businesses, acquire skills, and take our rightful place in the economy. Let us be productive, not destructive. This law guarantees us space to innovate, lead, and transform our communities. The future is ours to build under the Second Republic,” said Cde Nyamande.
Businessman, Mr Moses Mikundi, described it as a “game-changer” that will unlock investment and stimulate growth.
He said the legislation provides certainty for the private sector to plan, expand and create jobs without policy disruptions.
“This law gives us confidence. With President Mnangagwa at the helm until 2030, we can invest long-term in factories, agriculture and infrastructure knowing the environment is stable. When business and Government pull in one direction, development moves faster. This is the time to build, produce, and empower our communities,” said Mr Mikundi, urging fellow businesspeople to partner with Government in driving Vision 2030.
