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Masimirembwa Vows Constitution Will Be Amended to Serve People\u2019s Interests<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
Tinashe Sambiri\u2013 ZANU PF Harare Metropolitan Province chairman Godwills Masimirembwa has said the law must always serve the interests of citizens and should change as the country\u2019s values and institutions evolve.<\/p>\n
Masimirembwa made the remarks during a mobilisation workshop held at the Revolutionary Party Headquarters, where he addressed party members on the legal framework surrounding Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3.
During the meeting, he stressed that the law should not be viewed as fixed, but rather as something that develops alongside society.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe law is not an ending itself. It is there to serve our interests. As our values and institutions evolve, the law must also change to reflect that reality,\u201d said Masimirembwa.<\/p>\n
He said being a constitutionalist means respecting the Constitution and all amendments that are lawfully passed through Parliament.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing a constitutionalist simply translates to abiding by the Constitution and its amendments because once they are passed through the lawful processes, they become binding,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Addressing concerns raised in public debate, Masimirembwa said Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 does not require a referendum because it does not extend a presidential term limit.<\/p>\n
He pointed to provisions in the Constitution of Zimbabwe, particularly Section 328, which outlines circumstances where a referendum becomes necessary.<\/p>\n
\u201cSection 328 is very clear. A referendum only becomes necessary when you are extending a term limit.<\/p>\n
Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 does not extend a presidential term limit, therefore there is no constitutional requirement for a referendum,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
Masimirembwa also clarified the difference between extending a term and adding to a term, saying the proposed changes do not violate constitutional provisions.<\/p>\n
He further said the Parliament of Zimbabwe has the constitutional authority to amend the Constitution within the country\u2019s democratic framework.<\/p>\n
Speaking about the nature of Parliament, Masimirembwa said it does not operate under a strict term limit like the presidency but instead has a constitutional life.<\/p>\n
\u201cParliament does not have a term limit in the same sense as the Presidency. It has a constitutional life. Extending that life in alignment with the term of the President does not require a referendum because it does not alter a constitutional term limit,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Masimirembwa also explained constitutional provisions regarding the assumption of office when a president resigns or dies.<\/p>\n
He said if a person serves less than three years after assuming office, it is not regarded as a full term, while serving three years or more is considered a completed term.<\/p>\n
Masimirembwa urged party members to engage citizens with factual constitutional information and highlight the development programmes being implemented under President Emmerson Mnangagwa.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe progressive developments being implemented by the Second Republic are self-evident.<\/p>\n
These achievements must be our gospel as we mobilise and engage citizens to support Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The workshop formed part of ZANU PF mobilisation programmes aimed at strengthening constitutional literacy and encouraging public understanding of the proposed amendments as Zimbabwe continues pursuing Vision 2030.<\/p>\n
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