The battle over Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB 3) has shifted to Parliament following its first reading on Tuesday, with Government and opposition lawmakers preparing for what is expected to be a robust debate during the Bill’s second reading.
Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi described the proposed legislation as progressive and expressed confidence that Parliament was ready to thoroughly consider it.
“I am confident that Members of Parliament were in attendance in their numbers and I am eager to see the Bill proceeding because it is progressive legislation,” said Ziyambi after the Bill’s first reading.
The Minister said Government was not seeking to rush the legislative process and wanted all legislators to have an opportunity to debate the proposed constitutional amendments.
“There is no stipulated time to be taken on this Bill. It is Government’s wish to see all legislators debating this progressive Bill,” he said.
Speaking to Hurumende News Hub after the first reading, ZANU PF Chief Whip Pupurai Togarepi said the large turnout of legislators demonstrated the significance attached to the Bill by Members of Parliament and the public.
“The fact that legislators came in their numbers shows how important this Bill is to parliamentarians and to the people of Zimbabwe. We are ready to debate the Bill and ensure that every view is heard through the parliamentary process,” said Togarepi.
The Bill now proceeds to the second reading stage, where lawmakers will debate its principles before considering specific provisions and proposed amendments.
However, the proposed constitutional changes are expected to face scrutiny from opposition legislators, some of whom have indicated they will seek amendments aimed at strengthening democratic governance and electoral reforms.
Kuwadzana Member of Parliament Charlton Hwende said he would be submitting proposed amendments to the Order Paper, drawing from constitutional reform proposals previously advanced by the MDC and CCC, as well as recommendations made by regional and international election observer missions.
Hwende said consultations with residents in Kuwadzana showed overwhelming support for reforms that promote electoral fairness and create a level playing field for all political actors.
“The dominant view from the people I represent is that we must fight for people’s issues that level the electoral playing field. This is the approach that I will be taking,” said Hwende.
As debate on Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 begins, attention will be focused on whether lawmakers can build consensus on the proposed changes and how the amendments could shape Zimbabwe’s constitutional and electoral landscape in the years ahead.
