Story by Peter Chivhima
THE Constitutional Amendment Number 3 Bill has come under the spotlight at the ongoing 87th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Banjul, Gambia, with the Zimbabwean delegation clarifying the objectives of the Bill.
Responding to submissions made by Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights at the ongoing 87th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Banjul, Gambia on Thursday, Zimbabwe’s head of delegation and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Mrs Vimbai Nyemba provided context and clarified Zimbabwe’s position on the issues raised regards the Constitutional Amendment Number 3 Bill.
“The proposed amendments, including the rationalisation of certain commissions and the review of electoral administration functions, are intended to reduce duplication, improve efficiency, and strengthen service delivery. These are matters within the sovereign legislative competence of Parliament, as provided for in the Constitution of Zimbabwe. At its core, the Bill transcends the narrow confines of partisan agendas, embodying instead a collection of institutional reforms that are unchangeably robust, historically transformative, and purposefully oriented towards future generations. This is clearly in service to the national interest, which is supreme. The Bill stands as a cohesive, meticulously evidence-based antidote to the entrenched governance impediments that have afflicted Zimbabwe for over three decades. Further, the Bill is also critically informed by judicial precedents, resounding societal aspirations, and illuminating comparative experiences across Africa,” she said.
Mrs Nyemba also stressed that the legislative process complied with constitutional requirements, including public participation.
“Public hearings were conducted across the country, and millions of Zimbabweans participated and expressed their views. The Government remains committed to ensuring that any amendments uphold constitutionalism, public participation, and the rule of law,” she said.
The Constitutional Amendment Number 3 Bill, gazetted in February this year, forms part of an ongoing constitutional refinement process designed to reflect the lived realities of Zimbabweans, while enhancing institutional performance.
The bill is set to be tabled before Parliament on May 18.
