BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI
Zimbabwe’s National Assembly was gripped by a marathon debate on Tuesday as lawmakers considered a landmark constitutional amendment that would extend presidential and parliamentary terms from five to seven years.
The Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill, commonly known as CAB3, sparked sharp exchanges between ruling Zanu PF legislators and opposition MPs, exposing deep divisions over the future direction of the country’s governance framework.
Leading the case for the Bill was Prosper Machando, the Zanu PF MP for Chirumanzu-Zibagwe, who argued that five-year terms do not provide enough time for leaders to implement meaningful development programmes.
“We need to work for our country. We do not have to waste money on elections. The two years that have been added are very important because it gives people and the leader that they should work steadily, as five years is not enough for someone to work,” Machando told Parliament.
Supporters of the Bill repeatedly argued that frequent elections divert resources away from development and disrupt the implementation of long-term economic programmes.
Pedzai “Scott” Sakupwanya, the Zanu PF MP for Mabvuku-Tafara, defended proposals that would see Parliament elect the President instead of the country holding direct presidential elections.
Drawing comparisons with neighbouring countries, Sakupwanya said the proposed model would reduce political tensions that often accompany national elections.
“The Presidency should not be reduced to an office of chancers. If one feels they are the better candidate, then by all means, they should show their ability to coordinate the majority of MPs in this House,” he said.
Proponents argued that electing a President through Parliament would help avoid post-election disputes, violence and economic uncertainty, which they said often accompany fiercely contested national polls.
The debate also focused on public consultations that preceded the Bill’s introduction.
Webster Shamu, the Zanu PF MP for Chegutu West, said the proposals reflected the will of ordinary Zimbabweans, claiming that more than 537,000 people had participated in consultation meetings held across the country.
“This Bill is democracy in its most authentic form because it is home-grown. It is participatory. We saw people participating and people-driven,” Shamu said.
Government-aligned legislators maintained that the proposed amendments would strengthen governance, improve policy continuity and provide greater stability for development programmes.
Beyond the constitutional debate, Parliament also conducted the first reading of the Whistleblowers and Witness Protection Bill and the Deposit Protection Corporation Amendment Bill.
The Speaker of Parliament recognised visitors from several organisations attending proceedings, including representatives of the Women Coalition of Zimbabwe and the General Agriculture and Plantation Workers Union of Zimbabwe.
As debate stretched into the evening, lawmakers continued to exchange arguments over the far-reaching implications of the Bill.
The House eventually adjourned at 6:43pm, with debate on the proposed constitutional amendments set to continue during the next sitting.
