“We Didn’t Ask for This” — Fury Over ZBC’s Constitutional Bill Roadshow – Eduzim News

Tinashe Sambiri– A ZBC-led roadshow promoting the controversial Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB #3) has triggered criticism.

The Roadshow was held at Murewa Centre bus rank in Mashonaland East, with some accusing the programme of forcing political messaging on unsuspecting members of the public.

The event, held on April 11, 2026, was organised by Radio Zimbabwe as part of a public awareness campaign aimed at explaining proposed changes to the country’s election cycles.

However, the setting and approach have drawn sharp questions from critics who say the outreach blurred the line between education and propaganda.

The busy bus rank environment saw shoppers, vendors and flea market operators continuing with their daily work while the programme unfolded, raising concerns that the audience was not fully voluntary.

One critic said: “This is not awareness, it’s propaganda. People are trying to survive and then they are subjected to a political message they never asked for.”
Another added: “We didn’t ask for this. There is no real engagement happening here, just information being pushed onto people who have no choice but to listen.”

Authorities maintain that the campaign is meant to educate citizens on the contents of the bill, insisting that public understanding is necessary as discussions around constitutional changes continue. Organisers have also indicated that similar outreach programmes will continue in Mutoko and Mudzi.

However, the initiative has been met with growing scepticism, with critics arguing that the use of informal public spaces such as bus ranks undermines meaningful civic participation.

“This should be happening in structured forums where people can debate freely,” another commentator said. “A bus rank is not a constitutional consultation platform.”

The CAB #3 roadshow continues to draw attention as debate intensifies over how constitutional reforms are being communicated to the public, and whether citizens are being genuinely consulted or simply addressed in passing.

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