Voices from the ground Mat South rallies behind Constitutional Amendment Bill

Zimpapers Writers

COMMUNITIES in Gwanda, Umguza and Bulilima districts yesterday rallied behind the proposed Constitutional Amendment Bill No 3 during ongoing Parliamentary public hearings, with many residents backing provisions they say could promote policy continuity and sustainable long‑term national development.

The Bill, which is still at the consultation stage, proposes several changes to electoral cycles, governance structures and institutional roles, including clauses intended to align election timelines with national development priorities.

Public hearings commenced this week across the country following the gazetting of the Bill on February 17, with Parliament deploying 11 teams nationwide to conduct consultations during a 90 day engagement process.

Once consultations conclude, the Bill is expected to be tabled in Parliament, where it will require a two thirds majority in both the National Assembly and the Senate to be passed into law.
In West Nicholson, Gwanda District, residents from both rural and urban wards turned out for the hearings and largely expressed support for the proposed amendments. Participants said provisions such as extending the presidential tenure from five to seven years and introducing a parliamentary process for electing the President could minimise disruptions caused by frequent elections and allow sufficient time for the implementation of major development projects.

A resident, Mr Japhet Dube, said shorter electoral cycles often disrupted development planning.
“The proposed amendments will create an environment conducive to sustained economic growth. The Government spends a lot of money holding elections and there is usually conflict with each party wanting its candidate to win,” he said.

Ms Precious Dube said several infrastructure projects currently underway in the district would benefit from extended implementation periods.

Participants also supported provisions aimed at expanding the role of traditional leaders in governance processes, saying such measures would enhance grassroots representation and community participation. Some attendees further backed proposals to assign voter registration functions to the Registrar General, arguing that the change could improve the management and integrity of the voters’ roll.

Deputy Minister for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services and Gwanda South legislator, Dr Omphile Marupi, who was present at the hearings, praised the level of community participation.

“The huge turnout of people shows that they understand issues of governance. From the submissions that were made here, it’s clear that people have read the proposed bill and they fully understand it.

People now want to be fully involved in governance and they want to see projects and policies being implemented. People now want results and not things that remain pipe dreams. They also want to see interventions that have been rolled out being implemented all the way through,” he said.

Zanu PF Politburo member, Cde Richard Ndlovu, also described the turnout in Gwanda as encouraging.
“The community spoke with one voice and expressed their unwavering support for development. This is the kind of maturity needed among citizens of the country. The peace and unity that was displayed by the Gwanda community is very impressive,” he said.

In Bulilima, Matabeleland South, villagers similarly backed the Bill during a Parliamentary public hearing held on Tuesday at Nyele Hall in Ward 4. Hundreds attended the meeting, with 59 individuals given the opportunity to present their views. According to Parliamentarians who conducted the session, 54 participants supported the Bill, four opposed it, while one submission was deemed invalid.

A youth from the Nyele area, Mr Cleopas Nkomo, said the country stood to gain significantly from the proposed Constitutional Amendment Bill No 3.

“As a youth, l believe that one of the major advantages of the Bill is greater political stability. By extending presidential and parliamentary terms to seven years, the nation would experience fewer frequent elections, reducing political disruptions that often slow down government programmes.

“We have a clinic that we are building at Nyele and with the extension, our representative in Parliament, Cde Dingumuzi Phuti, will be able to implement development initiatives without the pressure of short electoral cycles,” he said.

Ms Esther Nleya from Gala Ward 6 said some clauses in the Bill could strengthen legislative decision making by broadening skills representation within the Senate.

“By allowing the President to appoint senators, it will see individuals with specialised knowledge, skills and experience being appointed and thereby strengthening legislative decision-making,” she said.
In Umguza, villagers gathered at Redwood Farm factory, temporarily setting aside harvesting activities to attend the hearings. Mrs Anna Mpofu (67) said she travelled about 4km from her village to add her voice in support of Constitutional Amendment Bill No 3.

“The majority of us arrived here as early as 8AM to give our support to the proposed changes. Our President should be given two more years in office because he is doing a great job and extending his term to 2030 is by no doubt the most reasonable gesture we can do to ensure smooth continuity of developmental works across Zimbabwe,” she said.

Mrs Mpofu emphasised that continuity in leadership was essential for the completion of major infrastructure projects.

She cited progress on the Bulawayo–Victoria Falls Road rehabilitation programme as one example of visible development.

Mrs Thubelihle Nkomazana, a plot holder at the Redwood Irrigation Scheme, said agricultural gains achieved under irrigation programmes had improved livelihoods and reinforced calls for policy continuity.

“We grow winter wheat and other cash crops all year round to take care of our families and all this was made possible by the leadership of President Mnangagwa so I’m in full support of the bill to extend his term to seven years,” she said.