Nkayi, Beitbridge districts back CAB3

Gibson Mhaka/Thupeyo Muleya/Mthabisi Tshuma,Zimpapers Reporters

SCORES of people from Nkayi and Beitbridge districts on Thursday gave a resounding endorsement to the proposed Constitutional Amendment (No. 3) Bill, joining multitudes of Zimbabweans countrywide, who have already voiced their support for the proposed changes.

The spirited public hearings, which marked the conclusion of district wide consultations, drew large crowds at venues in Nkayi, Matabeleland North Province and Beitbridge in Matabeleland South Province, where participants overwhelmingly supported the Bill.

Of the hundreds who attended the Nkayi meeting, a significant majority backed the proposed amendments, with only two individuals registering dissenting views.

The hearings were characterised by robust contributions from a broad cross section of society, including traditional leaders, war veterans and former and serving legislators, with most speakers expressing support for the extension of Presidential and Parliamentary terms.

Former Member of Parliament for Nkayi South, Cde Stars Mathe, strongly supported the clause proposing the extension of the Presidential term from five to seven years. Drawing on her own experience in Parliament, she said the current five year term often falls short of allowing major capital projects to be completed.

“As a former Member of Parliament, I have the experience that five years is simply not enough. I have many projects that I left unfinished. Extending the term allows a leader enough time to push and complete critical development projects for the benefit of the people,” she said.

Member of Parliament for Nkayi North, Dr Sithembiso Nyoni, commended the democratic character of the public hearing, noting that the high turnout and near unanimous support reflected the views of grassroots communities.

“As His Excellency President Mnangagwa always says, ‘The voice of the people is the voice of God.’ The people who converged here at Agape Hall have resoundingly supported the Bill and that voice must be respected,” said Cde Nyoni.

“We thank the people for coming out in such numbers to express their views. The fact that we had two people opposing and giving their reasons actually demonstrates the democratic nature of this public hearing process. It shows that everyone was given a platform.”

Zanu-PF Central Committee member for Nkayi, Cde Sihle Moyo, said she was satisfied with the clause aimed at restoring and safeguarding the political rights of traditional leaders.

“I fully support all the clauses in the Bill. We want to thank the Parliamentary team for coming to Nkayi to gather our views. Specifically, Clause 21, which supports the restoration of the rights of our traditional leaders, is a very welcome development that respects our heritage,” she said.

Retired senior police officer Mandlenkosi Moyo, a former Bulawayo provincial spokesperson, offered a legal perspective on the proposed extension of terms.

He said aligning leadership tenure with Vision 2030 was a procedural adjustment driven by public demand.

“Looking at the clause regarding the extension of the term to 2030, the Constitution defines a full term as three years or more. Therefore, an extension of two years does not brutalise the Constitution, it is a legal adjustment to ensure continuity,” he said.

He added that communities in Nkayi were keen for the President to oversee the completion of ongoing national development programmes.

“People here are passionate about this because there are many fortunes and projects that must be finished. We are concerned that any change in leadership might stall the current progress. We are happy the President is agreeable to this because it is we, the people, who requested him to lead us until 2030,” he said.

In Beitbridge, residents converged in large numbers at Lutumba Growth Point for the public hearings, with many arriving as early as 7AM and expressing support for the proposed amendments.

Matabeleland South youth quota Member of Parliament Tinashe Mushipe presided over the proceedings at Lutumba. Religious leaders from Beitbridge under the Apostolic Christian Council of Zimbabwe (ACCZ) have already publicly backed the Bill.

Meanwhile, Bulilima Constituency legislator Cde Dingumuzi Phuti, who toured the legacy science laboratory at Gwambe Secondary School accompanied by former Bulilima East MP Cde Mathias Siqhoza Ndlovu, said the Constitutional Amendment Bill seeks to promote policy continuity and long term national development.

“Bill Number 3 aims to strengthen governance, enhance development and create opportunities for sustainable growth aligned with Vision 2030. It will also allow Members of Parliament to vote for President, something that is being done in Botswana and South Africa, among other countries. I am fully behind the Bill as it will help President Mnangagwa achieve Vision 2030 of an upper middle income society. We will also be able to finish the projects we are doing in the ward and across the constituency.”