Online Reporter
Debra Matabvu
ZIMBABWEANS will have a four-day window to participate in public hearings on the Constitutional Amendment No.3 Bill after Parliament announced that the exercise will run from March 30 to April 2.
Among many of its far-reaching and transformative proposals, the amendments seek to align election cycles with the country’s developmental aspirations and economic trajectory.
During the hearings, the public will have the opportunity to submit written submissions through “special desks” designated for this purpose.
Presently, submissions are being made via Parliament’s email address.
The 90-day period for public hearings and consultations started on February 17 after the Amendment No.3 Bill was gazetted.
According to the latest statement from the Parliament of Zimbabwe, the public hearings must occur before the Bill can be debated in Parliament.
“A Constitutional Bill may not be presented in the Senate or the National Assembly in terms of Section 131 unless the Speaker has given at least 90 days’ notice in the Gazette of the precise terms of the Bill,” the statement reads in part.
“Immediately after the Speaker has given notice of a Constitutional Bill in terms of subsection (3), Parliament must invite members of the public to express their views on the proposed Bill in public meetings and through written submissions, and must convene meetings and provide facilities to enable the public to do so.
“In compliance with the above and as part of enhancing participatory democracy, the Parliament will be conducting Public Hearings on the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment No. 3 Bill (H.B. 1, 2026) from 30 March 2026 to 02 April 2026.”
Once hearings are completed, the relevant Parliamentary committees will compile reports before the Bill is formally introduced in the National Assembly for debate and consideration.
Parliament has also created a deposit box at the old Parliament building in Harare Central to enable people to submit their views.
The Constitutional Amendment No. 3 Bill proposes a Parliamentary process for the election of the President and seeks to replace the current five-year Presidential term with a seven-year tenure.
The President is currently elected through a direct vote under the first-past-the-post electoral system.
Clause 3 specifies that a Presidential candidate must secure a majority of votes, and if no candidate achieves an absolute majority, a run-off election will be held.
The process will be overseen by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to ensure proper conduct.
The Bill also transfers responsibility for registering voters, compiling and maintaining the voters’ roll and registers from ZEC to the Registrar-General to ensure efficiency since the Registrar-General is the custodian of these records.
It also introduces a raft of legal reforms aimed at strengthening constitutional governance, clarifying institutional roles, promoting political stability and enhancing the efficiency of the State architecture.
Schedules
Parliament has since published dates and venues for consultations.
In Harare province, consultations have been scheduled for March 30 at the Chitungwiza Aquatic Centre, while public hearings will take place at the Epworth Local Board and Harare City Centre on the following day.
Public hearings in Bulawayo will take place at City Hall on March 30.
In Midlands province, meetings will be conducted on March 30 at the Gokwe Community Hall and Kwekwe Theatre and at the Nembudziya Council Offices in Gokwe on March 31.
On April 1, consultations will take place at Vungu Council Hall, Mvuma Vocational Training Centre and Chachacha Business Centre Hall.
Hearings will then be held on April 2 at the Zvavashe Secondary School Grounds in Mberengwa and Vugwi Community Hall in Zvishavane.
In Matabeleland South province, hearings will be held on March 30 at Hyn Hall in Esigodini, while Filabusi will host consultations at the Insiza Rural District Council Hall.
On March 31, the public will gather in Bulilima and Mangwe, at the Nyele Community Hall and Sanzukwi Community Hall, respectively.
On April 1, the consultations will be in Matobo, at Malunde Cattle Sales (open space), and in Gwanda, at West Nicholson (Gwanda Council Hall).
Beitbridge will hold hearings on April 2 at Lutumba Warehouse.
In Matabeleland North, hearings will take place at the Tsholotsho Council Hall on March 30 and in Hwange Town at Adamant Hall and in Bubi at Tatazela Hall on the following day.
On April 1, consultations will be held in Binga at Manjolo Business Centre (Sengwe Child Drop-in Centre) and in Umguza at Nyamandlovu, at the Redhood Community Hall.
On April 2, hearings will be at the Lupane Council Hall and Agape Church in Nkayi.
In Masvingo province, the hearings will begin on March 30 in Chiredzi Town at Chitsanga Hall and Zaka at Rudhanda Secondary School.
On March 31, hearings will occur in Bikita at Matsvange, at the Roman Catholic Church, while consultations in Gutu district will take place at Maungwa Secondary School.
On April 1, the meeting will be in Chivi at Maringire Primary School and in Masvingo at Chidzikwe Hall.
Mwenezi district will host the process on April 2 at Rutenga, at Mafomoti Secondary School.
In Mashonaland West, sessions will be held on March 30 in Makonde district at Finland Business Centre, at Chipfunde Hall.
There will also be hearings in Zvimba at Rafingora Community Hall and in Mhondoro-Ngezi at Mamina Council Hall.
Chegutu will hold hearings at Chegutu Council Hall.
On March 31, Kariba district will host hearings at Makande Secondary School.
In Hurungwe, the meetings will occur on April 1 at Kazangarare Business Centre at Ringo Community Hall, while Sanyati will hold hearings at Chakari Business Centre, at the Patchway Open Space.
In Mashonaland East, consultations have been pencilled in for March 30 in Chikomba at Council Hall, Dema Business Centre and Hwedza Flea Market Hall.
On March 31, hearings will take place in Marondera at Dombotombo Township, at Mbuya Nehanda Hall, and in Goromonzi in Chishawasha-Donhondzo Township, at St Peters Claver Primary School Grounds.
On April 1, people gather in Uzumba-Maramba-Pfungwe at Mutawatawa Business Centre and at Murewa Centre.
Mudzi and Kaitano districts will host hearings on April 2 at their business centres.
In Mashonaland Central, hearings will be held on March 30 in Bindura in Chipadze Township and in Mazowe at Nzvimbo Business Centre.
On the following day, the consultations will be held at the Mt Darwin Council Hall and at Madziwa Business Centre in Shamva.
On April 1, the hearings will be conducted in Muzarabani and Rushinga, while Mbire (Mushumbi Pools Business Centre) and Guruve Business Centre will host hearings on April 2.
In Manicaland province, consultations will be held on March 30 in Nyanga at Nyamhuka Hall and in Mutasa at Manica Bridge Hall.
On March 31, meetings will take place in Makoni at the Chipembere Business Centre open space, with hearings in Mutare set for Sakubva Beit Hall.
In Chipinge, hearings will be conducted at Rimbi Business Centre and in Chimanimani at Chakohwa Secondary School on April 1.
Buhera district will conduct its consultations at Murambinda Growth Point on April 2.
Tinaye Agere