Online Reporter
Conrad Mupesa
Mashonaland West Bureau
ZANU PF has defended its grassroots mobilisation strategy in support of Constitutional Amendment Number 3 Bill, saying there was nothing irregular about its Members of Parliament and councillors collecting written submissions from citizens.
The party’s Secretary for Justice and Legal Affairs, Cde Ziyambi Ziyambi, who is also the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, made the position clear during a Mashonaland West Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) meeting held at Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) yesterday.
Cde Ziyambi dismissed criticism from opposition parties, who have accused Zanu PF of influencing the consultation process, describing the attacks as hypocritical and politically motivated.
“Those who are making noise are doing the same thing. They are mobilising their supporters to submit petitions against the Bill, yet they want to criminalise our own efforts,” he said.
“What we are doing is fully within the confines of the law. Every Zimbabwean has the right to participate in national processes, and facilitating that participation cannot be wrong.”
The ruling party has already amassed more than 100 000 written submissions nationwide in support of CAB3, with an ambitious target of surpassing 500 000 as it intensifies its nationwide campaign.
Mashonaland West has emerged as one of the leading provinces in backing the proposed constitutional changes, with overwhelming participation recorded during parliamentary public hearings held between late March and early April.
“We want to commend Mashonaland West for standing firm in defence of the revolution and the Constitution. The turnout during public hearings was impressive and speaks volumes about the people’s confidence in the Bill,” said Cde Ziyambi.
He also came to the defence of party leaders who have been targeted on social media for spearheading the mobilisation exercise, including provincial chairperson Cde Mary Mliswa-Chikoka and Zvimba North legislator Cde Marian Chombo.
Mashonaland West provincial chairperson Cde Mliswa-Chikoka confirmed that the province has contributed at least 100 000 submissions to Parliament, underscoring the region’s strong endorsement of the Bill.
