Online Reporter
Conrad Mupesa
Mashonaland West Bureau
ZANU PF in Mashonaland West has stepped up its campaign to raise public awareness on the proposed Constitutional Amendment No. 3 Bill through a series of inter-district consultative meetings.
The outreach programme kicked off on Sunday in Kariba District, where senior provincial leaders engaged party members and villagers at Makande High School, marking the beginning of a week-long mobilisation exercise across the province.
The provincial chairperson, Mary Mliswa-Chikoka, accompanied by youth chairperson Tapiwa Masenda, is leading the campaign team. And will be before rolling out similar meetings in Makonde, Zvimba, Chegutu, Sanyati and Mhondoro-Ngezi districts.
Addressing villagers gathered at Makande, Cde Mliswa-Chikoka said the outreach programme was aimed at ensuring communities fully understand the proposed constitutional changes ahead of official Parliamentary consultations.
“You should attend the consultations in your numbers so that your voices are heard. You have to defend your voice,” she said.
She outlined that the Constitutional Amendment No. 3 Bill seeks to introduce a number of governance reforms, including extending the Presidential term of office from five to seven years, a move party leaders say is meant to enhance policy continuity and long-term national development planning.
The Bill also proposes synchronising certain electoral processes and refining provisions relating to the conduct of elections, with a view to improving administrative efficiency and reducing the frequency of costly national polls.
In addition, party officials explained that the amendment seeks to strengthen executive authority in implementing long-term economic programmes, while also providing room for alignment of constitutional provisions with evolving national priorities under Vision 2030.
During the interactive session, villagers were allowed to ask questions and seek clarification on the implications of the proposed changes, with party leaders emphasising that the ongoing engagements are meant to complement the formal Parliamentary public consultations.
Cde Masenda urged young people to take a keen interest in the process, noting that constitutional reforms have long-term implications on governance and economic opportunities.
“This is your future. As youths, you must understand what is being proposed and participate in shaping the country’s direction,” he said.
The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee is expected to conduct official public hearings on the Bill starting next week, with Makande High School earmarked as one of the key consultation centres for Kariba and Hurungwe West constituencies.
Residents from surrounding areas are expected to attend the session in large numbers as the legislative process gathers momentum.
