Online Reporter
Herald Reporters
THOUSANDS of Zanu PF supporters yesterday attended Thank You rallies across Zimbabwe to celebrate the enactment of Constitutional Amendment No. 3 Act .
The ruling party hailed the legislation as a milestone for political stability, good governance and national development.
The gatherings followed President Mnangagwa’s assent to Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment No. 3 Bill on July 7, after Parliament approved the Bill following nationwide public consultations.
In Harare, thousands of Zanu PF supporters converged at Epworth High School for the CAA3 Thank You rally.
Zanu PF Secretary for Education, Research and Ideology Cde Charles Tawengwa, who was the guest of honour, thanked party members in Harare for their resolute support towards the successful enactment of CAA3.
“Today’s rally is not merely a function, but a testimony of our unity, discipline, participation, and most importantly, our commitment to the future of Zimbabwe.
“I am here to thank each and everyone of you for your contributions, both oral and written, towards this monumental Act. Your engagement, support, and unwavering dedication have made this possible.
“I express profound gratitude to all members who took part in the consultative process of the amendment’s drafting and passage.
“Your submissions were analysed meticulously to ensure that the amendments reflect the aspirations of the people of Zimbabwe. We appreciate that many of you sacrificed your time, resources, and sometimes faced challenges to ensure your views were heard. Your dedication has enriched this process,” said Cde Tawengwa.
He said the successful constitutional amendment is a testament to the fact that when the party and the people move together with one vision, no challenge is insurmountable.
Zanu PF provincial chairman Cde Godwills Masimirembwa hailed President Mnangagwa for his principled leadership.
“We want him to guide the party with the philosophy of leaving no one and no place behind, with the philosophy that Zimbabwe is a friend to all and enemy to none,” he said.
“We need President Mnangagwa to continue to be the party’s President and First Secretary so that he can guide the party and supervise the Government to ensure that Vision 2030 is carried forward.”
Zanu PF Central Committee member Dr Kudakwashe Tagwirei commended grassroots structures and all stakeholders for their collective efforts, saying the success of the amendment was achieved through unity, discipline and unwavering commitment to national objectives.
He applauded the Parliament of Zimbabwe for completing the legislative process and expressed appreciation to all districts for their contribution to mobilisation during the public consultations process, emphasising that every contribution played a vital role in reaching this milestone.
Dr Tagwirei urged party members to remain united and continue working through the party’s recognised structures.
In Bulawayo, a Thank You rally was held at Stanley Square in Makokoba, where Zanu PF Politburo member Cde Elifas Mashaba said the gathering was not merely a political event but a celebration of citizen participation and constitutional democracy.
“We have gathered here not only to celebrate Constitutional Amendment Act No.3, but also to thank the people of Zimbabwe for their unwavering participation throughout the consultative process. This amendment is a product of the people’s contributions, aspirations and commitment to the future of our country,” he said.
Cde Mashaba said President Mnangagwa and the party leadership were grateful to Zimbabweans who participated in the consultations.
“On behalf of His Excellency, President Mnangagwa, I wish to express profound appreciation to every citizen who participated in this historic process. Your dedication, sacrifices and commitment ensured that the amendment truly reflects the wishes and aspirations of Zimbabweans.”
Cde Mashaba said the peaceful manner in which consultations and subsequent processes were conducted reflected Zimbabwe’s democratic maturity and enduring culture of peace.
“Zimbabweans have once again demonstrated that we are a peace-loving people. Throughout the consultations, there was discipline, tolerance and maturity. We urge citizens to continue safeguarding these values as the country moves forward in implementing the provisions of CAA3,” he said.
In Gwanda, Zanu-PF Matabeleland South provincial chairman Cde Mangaliso Ndlovu said the party had established structures across all districts to assist with the reintegration and profiling of Zimbabweans returning from South Africa.
The initiative comes as Government, through an Inter-Ministerial Committee and a national command centre, continues to coordinate the repatriation and reintegration of citizens displaced by anti-migrant violence in South Africa.
More than 100 000 Zimbabweans have now returned home, with Government implementing programmes covering transport, temporary accommodation, healthcare, psychosocial support, skills profiling and economic reintegration in line with the National Development Strategy 2 and Vision 2030.
Cde Ndlovu said returning Zimbabweans possessed valuable skills that could contribute to national development.
“We have committees that we have established as a party from DCC level which will welcome and help reintegrate our returning residents. At district level we also want you to help us as we want to know the skills of each person because Government needs these people,” he said.
“This country is ours and we welcome all those who are coming back. If we are operating businesses, let us utilise the skills which our returning fellow Zimbabweans have acquired. Let us accept every Zimbabwean and make them feel that they have come home. Some went through hell in South Africa and we cannot allow them to go through hell in their own country.”
Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Cde Albert Nguluvhe, who is the party’s provincial vice-chairman, said more than 100 000 Zimbabweans had entered the country through Beitbridge while 41 000 Malawians and 67 Zambians had also transited through the border post to their countries.
He said more than 365 people had entered through Plumtree Border Post and other entry points in Matabeleland South.
“I want to thank the leadership and people of Matabeleland South, especially Beitbridge, because they have been in the forefront in receiving returnees. I would also like to thank the Women’s League that volunteered to cook for the returnees after cooks from the Zimbabwe National Army were deployed. Members of the business community have also been donating food,” said Cde Nguluvhe.
Cde Nguluvhe also commended First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa for complementing Government’s humanitarian response through her donation following a visit to the Beitbridge Reception Centre earlier this month.
In Manicaland, ZANU PF Secretary for Information and Publicity Cde Christopher Mutsvangwa, who was the guest of honour at a Thank You rally held at Mutare Teachers College, said Zimbabweans from all walks of life, including those that were opposed to the Constitutional Amendment Act Number 3, will eventually see light in 2030 when all ongoing infrastructural projects being undertaken under the auspices of President Mnangagwa are complete.
Cde Mutsvangwa said multi-million dollar projects are not an overnight thing hence the need to give President Mnangagwa more time in office.
“President Mnangagwa, through the CAB 3 blessings that you have given him, is focusing on improving the infrastructure so that it sustains the growth of the country,” he said.
“The roads, railway, water reservoirs and others need more time. They are not overnight projects. By 2030 you will see significant development of infrastructure in this country.
“As a nation, we need to have President Mnangagwa sit in his office comfortably so that he can have space to accomplish all this.
“You are a capable, competent population as Zimbabweans. We are now not even scared by people returning from South Africa because we now have the capacity and plans for that are in place. Not even sanctions can scare us anymore.”
Presidential Advisor Cde Paul Tungwarara, in his introduction of the guest of honour, thanked President Mnangagwa for signing the amendment into law.
“We are thankful to President Mnangagwa for signing the Bill into law. It is an achievement for us all as a country as we map out our development trajectory,” said Cde Tungwarara.
Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Advocate Misheck Mugadza said operations in Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies are seeing the benefits of having President Mnangagwa in office.
“Us, from the Government side in Manicaland, we are saying this is now law. It’s done and dusted,” he said.
“We are now focusing on development, development, development. We are no longer looking back to the past. We want to thank His Excellency for the signature he appended on the Bill to become an Act.”
In Mashonaland East, provincial chairman Cde Daniel Garwe said CAA3 marks a new phase in which Zimbabweans should focus on national development and implementing the country’s development agenda.
Cde Garwe addressed a Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) meeting held in Goromonzi district on Saturday that was preceded by a Provincial Executive Committee meeting and later a Thank You rally at Tarisai Primary School.
“We are here today to thank you, the people of Zimbabwe and celebrate together because CAA3 was signed into law,” he said.
“This is all because of you, the people of Zimbabwe, particularly ZANU PF members. Now that your wishes have been granted, we should now focus on development.
“The people saw the works that President Mnangagwa is doing in transforming Zimbabwe, and they said the President should continue until 2030 and complete all the developmental projects. And now we are here to celebrate the milestone we have made”.
Politburo member Cde Mike Bimha congratulated the people of Mashonaland East for strongly supporting CAA3.
“Thank you all for gracing this occasion, and by attending this in your numbers shows that you love your party,” he said.
“Today is not like another day. Today, we are here to celebrate CAA3. I have been sent by the leaders to come and thank you all in Mashonaland East province for a job well done.”
In Masvingo, the Minister of State Security and Zanu PF Politburo member Cde Lovemore Matuke issued a stern warning to malcontents who are planning to stage illegal protests over the enactment of the Constitutional Amendment Act Number 3 that they would be severely dealt with.
He was addressing more than 5000 Zanu PF members during the provincial celebrations to mark the enactment of CAA3 at Padare Business Centre in Zaka North.
He said CAA3 is now part of the constitution and should be followed and respected.
“What everyone including those who are trying to oppose the passing of CAB 3 which is now CAA3 is that they should have canvassed for the majority of Zimbabweans in both the National Assembly and Senate,” said Minister Matuke.
“They should have convinced the National Assembly and Senate not to vote for the Bill before President Mnangagwa signed it into law(CAA3). Now CAA3 is part of our law, and everyone is bound by it because it’s an expression of the will of the majority of Zimbabweans.”
Minister Matuke praised President Mnangagwa, saying he is a constitutionalist who respects the will of Zimbabweans.
In Mashonaland Central, Zanu PF provincial chairperson and Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Cde Kazembe Kazembe said the successful passage of the constitutional amendment would provide continuity in implementing development programmes.
He was addressing party members and senior Government officials, including Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Zhemu Soda in Shamva on Saturday.
“The Constitutional Amendment that the people called for has now been successfully passed,” he said.
“This means the next harmonised elections will be held in 2030, allowing the President, Members of Parliament and councillors to continue implementing development projects without interruption.
ZANU PF Politburo member July Moyo called for a renewed focus on development following the enactment of Constitutional Amendment Act No. 3.
He was addressing scores of supporters gathered at Mbizo Grounds in Kwekwe, Midlands Province.
“Let us continue to work together to realise the vision encapsulated in Constitutional Amendment Act No. 3, putting the interests of Zimbabweans above all else,” he said.
In Mashonaland West, ZANU PF Secretary for Legal Affairs, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Cde Ziyambi Ziyambi, told party members at Chakari Stadium in Kadoma that the constitutional amendment process had been concluded peacefully and the nation should now concentrate on development.
“The purpose of these rallies is to bring information to the grassroots and to thank you for the unity and peace you upheld during the amendment process,” he said.
“Zimbabwe is bigger than any individual. I urge you to continue upholding law and order and to shun violence from other groups that seek to cause disorder.”
Bongani Ndlovu