Story by Tapiwa Machemedze
THE final day of public hearings on the Constitutional Amendment No. 3 Bill drew large crowds across Mashonaland Central Province, with residents voicing their views on the proposed law.
At the Salvation Army Church in Guruve Business Centre, most attendees expressed support for the Bill, particularly the proposed increase in the presidential term.
“I support the Number 3 Bill and the two-year increase in the term is good so that there is a seven-year term,” a resident said.
“This Bill is not breaking the people’s rights because it is they who vote for councillors and MPs, so I support this Bill,” another participant added.
“It is no longer a new thing that Zimbabwe has a President with a seven-year term. Other countries like Rwanda and Djibouti have seven-year terms for their Presidents,” a citizen noted.
“I support CAB 3 because it is progressive. We want to have more time to focus on development as a nation instead of focusing on electioneering. We also want to allocate more funds to development and not elections as a young country,” said a community member.
However, some residents raised concerns over the proposal to disband the Gender Commission, stressing the importance of protecting women’s rights and gender equality.
“I do not support the fact that the Gender Commission should be joined,” a woman said.
“On the Gender Commission, I am a woman, and as women we should grow; the Gender Commission must not be removed or downsized. It must be allowed to grow,” another woman said.
Team leader Senator Eleven Kambizi, who chaired hearings in the province, reported that the sessions proceeded peacefully.
“In Mashonaland Central, I chaired hearings at two places, Rushinga and Guruve. Everything went ahead peacefully, and there was no incident of violence. There was overwhelming support for the Constitutional Amendment Number 3 Bill in both places,” he said.
A public hearing was also held at Mushumbi Growth Point to gather input from Mbire district, bringing the four-day consultation process to a close.
