Online Reporter
Obey Musiwa
Herald Reporter
The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) has said the nationwide public hearings on Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 of 2026 drew strong public interest and large turnouts, with confidence in a process meant to reflect the views of all citizens.
In a statement issued after monitoring hearings held from March 30 to April 4, the commission acknowledged Parliament’s effort to take consultations to all provinces and to publicise venues in advance and noted the real test of a constitutional process is whether ordinary Zimbabweans, including those with opposing views, can speak freely, safely and with dignity.
During a press conference on Tuesday, ZHRC chairperson Ms Fungayi Jessie Majome said the large turnout showed that Zimbabweans care deeply about constitutional changes because such decisions shape how they are governed.
“The overall attendance at the observed consultations was high and participants included a broad cross-section of the population and vulnerable groups such as women, older persons and persons with disabilities,” she said.
“That level of participation suggests citizens want to be part of national decision-making, not merely observers of it.”
She also gave credit to the organisers for making the hearings visible and easier to access, saying that it is important for widening participation beyond political elites to ordinary people in communities.
“The Parliament of Zimbabwe conducted public hearings in all provinces of Zimbabwe and the venues, dates and meeting details were publicised in advance.
“For many citizens, that matters because timely information is often the difference between taking part in public affairs and being left out.”
Ms Majome said the way forward is for all parties to protect constitutional freedoms and ensure that public consultations remain peaceful, respectful and genuinely inclusive.
“The constitutional amendment process must align with obligations under international and regional human rights law,” she said.
“We called on stakeholders to exercise tolerance, respect divergent views, and uphold the values enshrined in the Constitution.”
She added that public hearings enabled inclusive participation, with most voices strongly backing Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 and its governance reforms.
“The meetings have facilities to receive written submissions and participants were also reminded and encouraged to make email submissions to the Parliament of Zimbabwe,” she said.
“Across the monitored venues, most submissions were in support of Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3.”
