Zanu PF Midlands Chair Blocks Opposition Elements From Attending Constitutional Amendment Bill Consultation Meeting? – Eduzim News

Reports are emerging from Midlands that some consultations on Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3) are being conducted on an invitation-only basis, allegedly excluding ZANU-PF members and local residents who may not fully support the ruling party’s position.
See the full article by Reason Wafawarova below:

Full Article:
NEMBUDZIYA, Gokwe — Concerns are emerging over the manner in which consultations on Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3) are being conducted in parts of the Midlands province, with sources alleging that some meetings are being held on an invitation-only basis.

The man at the centre of the controversy is Edison Chakanyuka Chiherenge, the ZANU-PF Provincial Chairperson for Midlands.
According to individuals who attended a meeting in Nembudziya, Gokwe, Chiherenge has been convening gatherings where attendance is tightly controlled, with invitations reportedly extended only to individuals whose loyalty to the ruling party leadership is considered reliable.

Those not invited, sources say, include some ZANU-PF members perceived to hold reservations about the proposed constitutional amendment.

Participants who spoke on condition of anonymity said the meetings are part of a wider provincial mobilisation effort aimed at generating formal endorsements of CAB3 from across the Midlands.

“They are saying the province must present a unanimous position in support of the Bill,” said one attendee who was present at the Nembudziya meeting.
“The idea is that every district must show that people fully support the amendment.”

District-by-District Meetings:
Sources familiar with the process say the Midlands provincial leadership has begun moving district by district, holding similar meetings designed to gather formal support statements.

The consultations reportedly involve selected community leaders, party officials and local influencers who are expected to record their endorsement of the proposed constitutional changes.

Attendees say the outcome of these meetings will be compiled into a report that presents the Midlands province as having reached a consensus position on CAB3.

According to those present, the reports are expected to be forwarded to the national leadership as evidence that rural communities support the amendment.

“They are saying these consultations must produce a clear unanimous position,” said another participant.

Pressure on Provincial Leadership:

Sources within party structures claim that provincial chairpersons have been instructed to deliver strong endorsements of CAB3 from their respective provinces.

One attendee at the Nembudziya meeting said local officials were told the reports would be submitted to President Emmerson Mnangagwa before the end of April.

Failure to demonstrate sufficient mobilisation in support of the Bill, sources claim, could place provincial leaders under pressure.
While these claims could not be independently verified, the allegations suggest the ruling party is intensifying internal efforts to secure provincial backing for the constitutional amendment.

Meanwhile, police in Harare continue to insist on police clearance for all non-ZANU-PF gatherings on the Bill, with no single clearance issued in the last three weeks – and a ruthless crackdown on those that have dared to meet without the clearance. Only ZANU-PF organised consultation meetings are happening in Harare.
Public Consultation Process

The alleged invitation-only consultations come at a time when Parliament has already opened a 90-day public consultation process for CAB3.

The consultation period allows citizens to submit written views, attend hearings, and participate in discussions regarding the proposed constitutional changes.

Critics argue that consultation processes must be open and inclusive if they are to accurately reflect the views of the public.

Supporters of the amendment, however, maintain that political parties have the right to mobilise their supporters and organise internal discussions on policy matters.

Wider Debate on CAB3:
CAB3 has become one of the most contentious constitutional proposals in recent years.

Among its most controversial provisions are proposals that would:
extend the terms of office for the President and Parliament, and
introduce a system under which the President could be elected by Parliament rather than directly by voters.

Supporters of the amendment argue the changes would bring stability and continuity to government.

Opponents say the proposals weaken democratic accountability and undermine the principle of direct popular sovereignty.

A Heated National Debate:
The debate surrounding CAB3 is intensifying across the country. Liberation war veterans, retired military commanders, civil society organisations and opposition groups have all entered the discussion, while multiple court challenges have been filed contesting aspects of the proposed amendment.

As the consultation process continues, questions are likely to persist about whether the views presented to Parliament accurately reflect the diverse opinions held by Zimbabweans.

For now, the meetings underway in the Midlands province illustrate just how politically charged the consultation process has become.

Related