Online Reporter
Herald Reporter
ZANU PF Harare Province has intensified its sensitisation programme on Constitutional Amendment Number 3 Bill to ensure people are well informed on what is expected from Parliament and how they can make submissions in support of the Bill.
On Tuesday, it was pomp and fanfare at the party’s sensitisation meeting at Mabvuku Number One Ground, where Central committee member Dr Kudakwashe Tagwirei extended his philanthropy to 85-year-old Gogo Kanhukamwe by offering to refurbish her house. The gesture was also extended to two other beneficiaries at the gathering.
Dr Tagwirei, who was the guest of honour, noted that there were 36 000 registered voters in Mabvuku constituency, yet only 12 000 voted in the previous elections, hence the need to mobilise more voters.
He called upon ZANU PF supporters to turn out in large numbers for the Constitutional Amendment Number 3 Bill public hearings, which are set to commence on March 30.
“President Mnangagwa has done a lot for the development of this country and everyone is seeing the projects underway. Remember when he took over in 2017, we had zero reserves and our GDP was very low, and now it is US$53 billion. We are now ranked the top tourist destination in the world. This is why we say yes to the Amendment Bill,” he said.
“We have noted that progress has been made on the economic front and on the diplomatic front. We envisage more projects being rolled out for the benefit of citizens.
“Our elections have been toxic, and extending the electoral cycle to seven years will allow office bearers to concentrate on development. With a term of seven years, there is ample time to foster development. Imagine legislators and councillors running for such a term—it means real development. Let us go out in our numbers to support the amendment bill next week.”
The Bill proposes to extend the presidential, parliamentary and local authority terms from five to seven years.
“Our elections have been characterised by toxicity at the expense of development. Extending the terms of the President, Parliament and local authorities to seven years will give ample time to focus on development and addressing the needs of the people,” Dr Tagwirei added.
ZANU PF Harare province has embarked on a campaign to equip its supporters with vital information required during the public hearings.
Mabvuku Tafara legislator Cde Scott Sakupwanya and ZANU PF Harare provincial chairperson Cde Godwills Masimirembwa articulated the importance of supporting the Bill in relation to the electoral cycle.
“We have seen massive developments in Mabvuku. Now an interchange is being constructed, and these kinds of works compel us to support the extension of the electoral cycle from five to seven years,” said Cde Sakupwanya.
Cde Masimirembwa urged supporters to attend the public hearings in numbers.
“Let us support the Constitutional Amendment Number 3 Bill to fulfil the party’s resolution number one.”
ZANU PF Politburo member Cde Tendai Chirau said for the nation to realise massive development, there is a need to support the amendment bill.
“Zimbabwe has become a developmental hub owing to the works of Cde Mnangagwa, and the Bill seeks to ensure he goes up to 2030. Extending the electoral cycle to seven years will ensure that the country realises the envisaged development,” he said.
The Constitutional Amendment Number 3 Bill seeks to extend the presidential, parliamentary and local authority cycle from five to seven years. It also allows the President to appoint ten more senators, which expands the expertise base within the Senate. The setting up of a Zimbabwe Delimitation Commission will take effect, among other provisions.
