Story by Panashe Nagoli
WITH less than 24 hours remaining before the conclusion of public consultations on the Constitutional Amendment No. 3 Bill, political experts say the peaceful participation witnessed over the past 90 days reflects the growing maturity of Zimbabwe’s democracy.
Parliament is set to conclude the consultation process on the proposed amendment, which began on February 16 after Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda gazetted the bill.
The bill seeks, amongst several clauses, to extend the electoral cycle from five to seven years, transfer the functions of the Zimbabwe Gender Commission to the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission, and repeal Section 281(2) of the Constitution, which states that traditional leaders should not be members of any political party or in any way participate in partisan politics.
Whilst the bill has received strong support across various sectors, Zimbabweans are still submitting their views to the Clerk of Parliament as the deadline looms.
“We are seeing the good works that are being done by the President, and we are here to submit our support for CAB3. As Business Women, we want to see the stable investment climate continue without electoral disruptions,” Administrator International Women Business Network Bishop Dr Gracious Kapfurumera said.
“Look at everything that this government has done across all sectors, and when this administration says an upper middle income society by 2030, that is exactly what they should finish now if they go who will continue with that vision,” Member International Women Business Network Pamidzai Marufu said.
The youth also added their voice to this conversation, saying President Mnangagwa’s administration has prioritised once-marginalised groups in governance, such as youth and women.
“As a young lady, I am here to also submit my support for CAB3. My view is driven by the strong development we have seen under this President, and if one takes a look at all the clauses of CAB3, you are left with no choice but to support this progressive legislation,” a youth, Charlene Paiva said.
Midlands State University Political Science Lecturer Dr Levious Chiukira says the adherence to legislative processes as outlined in the Constitution by Parliament is indicative of a maturing democracy.
“Parliament has followed all legislative processes as outlined in the Constitution and has allowed representative democracy and participatory democracy by not stiffling any citizens’ views, and so we now await the first reading of the bill,” he said.
Following the conclusion of the ninety-day public consultation period on Monday, Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Hon. Ziyambi Ziyambi will give formal notice and presentation of the bill, thereby paving the way for debate in the National Assembly.
