Hundreds turn out as nationwide public hearings begin in Zimbabwe’s parliament constitutional amendment bill Drafted by the ruling ZANU‑PF. The proposed changes, which include extending the presidential term and changing the way presidents are elected, have received both strong support and sharp criticism.
At a rural meeting in Chitungwiza, 25 km (15 mi) from Harare, most speakers supported the proposed bill. Chitungwiza—the third-largest urban center after Harare and Bulawayo—has historically voted for the opposition. However, ZANU-PF has made gains in recent years.
Shylock Muyengwa, a physician, argued that passage of the bill would bring stability and savings to the state. “The bill has been drafted with the budget in mind,” Muyengwa said. “If you look at the changes around Zimbabwe Election CommissionAnd the registrar, it saves us $15 million (€13 million).”
He said the seven-year change could potentially save up to 36% of resources, amounting to about $20 million per year.
for a period of five to seven years
One of the major proposals is Extend the terms of the presidency and parliament. Presidential and parliamentary elections are held every five years in Zimbabwe, with the President directly elected by voters under the 2013 Constitution. This amendment would extend the terms by seven years, delaying the next election from 2028 to 2030.
If enacted, it would extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s tenure beyond his current and final term, which ends in 2028. The nationwide hearings, running from March 30 to April 2, are being held as part of a constitutional consultation process. Many Zimbabweans had high hopes that the country would usher in a new era of democracy after the 2017 coup that ousted late President Robert Mugabe.
ZANU‑PF is pushing hard for the bill to be passed. Critics warned that the changes could strengthen one-party dominance and weaken democratic accountability, particularly the proposal to replace direct national voting with parliamentary elections to choose the president.
Another important reform will change the role of the Electoral Commission of Zimbabwe by returning some powers such as voter registration to the Registrar-General. Those proposals could reshape Zimbabwe’s political landscape for decades to come.
Critics of the bill are making noise
“If the amendment to the constitution is done properly, I have no problem with it,” Rutendo Muzirwa told DW. “The existing Constitution has come through a referendum, so why can’t you go through a referendum, if there is no rigging? Let’s go for a referendum,” he stressed, adding that referendums give everyone a chance to have their say.
“This bill is good for others, but I am against a president elected by parliament. So let’s go for a referendum,” he told some in the crowd.
The protesters started leaving the venue saying that Parliament was ignoring their contributions. Similar concerns about limited participation have been raised nationally, with observers criticizing the overly compressed four-day hearing schedule. The opposition and civic organizations say they will make every possible effort to stop the bill from being passed.
Ahead of the consultations, Amnesty International called on the Government of Zimbabwe to do everything in its power to ensure a peaceful, fair and transparent process.
“Amnesty International urges the Zimbabwean authorities to guarantee the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly without discrimination during the upcoming public hearings,” said Wongai Chikwanda, Amnesty International’s deputy regional director for Eastern and Southern Africa.
Amnesty demands fair trial
Citing Article 61 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, which guarantees the rights of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and association, key pillars of democratic participation, Chikwanda warned that restrictions on public debate before, during or after public hearings could stifle genuine participation, accountability and the rule of law.
“Given past incidents of violence and suppression of dissenting voices, authorities should take concrete steps to ensure that all participants can express their views and gather without fear of intimidation, harassment, assault, or arrest,” he said.
There have also been reports of arrests and alleged attacks on some critics of the bill, including lawyers, in recent weeks Lovemore Honeyand Tendai Biti, raising concerns about shrinking civic space.
After the public hearing ends on April 2, parliamentary committees will compile public submissions before the bill is debated and possibly seconded in the National Assembly, where the ruling ZANU PF party has a two-thirds majority.
EEdited by: Crispin Mavakideau