Story by Kenias Chivuzhe
THE ruling ZANU PF party has taken its awareness programme for the Constitutional Amendment Number 3 Bill to Marondera ahead of the Parliamentary consultations scheduled for next week.
The party continues to provide clarification on the legality of the Bill, dismissing claims that the country requires a referendum to complete the process.
In his address during the party’s inter-district meeting held in Marondera, ZANU PF Mashonaland East Provincial Chairperson, Cde Daniel Garwe, outlined constitutional provisions that require a referendum and those that do not, as he rallied members to defend the party’s Resolution Number 1.
“At the beginning of the year, President Mnangagwa directed that the party and Government implement all resolutions, including Resolution Number 1. The amendments are meant to serve the interests of the people. The issue of term extension does not require a referendum, hence the current process. Matters such as increasing the number of terms, the Bill of Rights and land issues require a referendum. Government is not violating the Constitution. We must defend the decision for the President to lead until 2030 as we will be defending development,” he said.
War veterans and other party leaders equated the Constitutional Amendment Number 3 Bill with defending the gains of the liberation struggle.
Mashonaland East Youth Provincial Chairperson, Honourable Isaac Tasikani, said young people in the province are fully behind the proposed amendment.
“As the youths in Mashonaland East, we are fully supporting the Bill. This is an agreed position from party conferences, hence, Bill Number 3 is unstoppable.”
Mashonaland East ZANU PF Women’s League Chairperson, Cde Apolonia Munzverengwi, also expressed support, citing development projects benefiting communities.
“As women in Mashonaland East, we are in full support of the Bill. The construction of dams, village business units, and water projects is benefiting mostly women.”
ZANU PF Secretary for War Veterans Affairs, Cde Douglas Mahiya, urged war veterans to support the party’s position, saying the amendment will help achieve development objectives.
“We want veterans of the liberation struggle to understand that the Constitutional Amendment Number 3 Bill will make us achieve our development objectives. The ruling party is only changing the election cycle. It is an offence to disregard party resolutions, including this Bill. War veterans should not disregard party directives.”
Mashonaland East War Veterans League Chairperson, Major Daniel Matengo, reaffirmed support for the Bill, noting that it had already been endorsed at previous party gatherings.
“ZANU-PF is a people’s party and fought the war for the people. We need to follow party directives as war veterans. We will support the Constitutional Amendment Number 3 Bill, and we agreed on this in Bulawayo and Mutare, and we are in full support.”
The meeting also saw officials from the central bank educating party supporters on the importance of embracing the new ZIG notes that will be in circulation starting on April 7.
