Public consultations on the proposed Constitution of Zimbabwe (Amendment) Bill (No. 3), 2026 which seeks to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s tenure have been overshadowed by allegations of exclusion and bias, with several political figures and citizens claiming they were denied the opportunity to contribute during outreach meetings held across the country.
In Bulawayo on Monday, Mayor David Coltart said he was prevented from speaking at a public consultation meeting held at City Hall.
Coltart alleged that despite arriving on time, sitting in the front row, and repeatedly raising his hand to contribute, he was ignored by the chairperson.
“The Chair of the meeting studiously ignored both Judith Todd and me. I was there on time, sat in the front row, put my hand up every time a call was made for people to contribute, and stood up with my hand raised when it was clear the Chair was studiously ignoring me.
“The meeting was brought to an abrupt end at about 11.30 and as a result both Judith Todd and I were denied the right to contribute and give our views,” he said.
Similar concerns were raised by former opposition legislator Gift Ostallos Siziba, who said he was also denied the opportunity to speak at a separate hearing in Nketa.
Siziba further alleged that some participants had been transported from outside Bulawayo, including from Matobo and Umguza, and were selectively given the floor.
“I was denied the opportunity to speak and contribute at the Constitutional Bill hearing in Nketa by the openly biased chairperson.
“People bused in from Matobo and Umguza were selectively given the opportunity to speak, yet many of them appeared unsure of what to say and simply repeated rehearsed slogans,” he said.
“We pushed back and expressed our total rejection of the bill!”
Concerns over the conduct of the hearings escalated following reports that a youth activist, Denford Sithole, was allegedly taken by unidentified individuals shortly after making a presentation opposing the bill at a meeting in Bulawayo.
His colleague was later released, while Sithole’s whereabouts remained unclear at the time of reporting.
The developments have prompted criticism from civil society actors, who argue that public hearings are constitutionally mandated platforms meant to ensure citizen participation in legislative processes.
They warn that any perceived intimidation or exclusion risks undermining the legitimacy of both the consultation process and the proposed law itself.
The Bill seeks to introduce wide-ranging changes to the country’s governance framework. Authorities say the reforms are intended to strengthen democratic structures, improve institutional efficiency, and promote long-term political stability.
Key proposals include shifting the election of the President from a direct popular vote to a parliamentary system, where Members of Parliament elect the Head of State. The Bill also seeks to extend the terms of both the President and Parliament from five to seven years.
Further provisions would transfer voter registration and management of the voters’ roll from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to the Registrar-General, while creating a new Zimbabwe Electoral Delimitation Commission responsible for drawing electoral boundaries.
The Bill also proposes increasing the number of Senators, altering judicial appointment procedures, and dissolving constitutional bodies such as the Zimbabwe Gender Commission and the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission, with some of their functions reassigned to other institutions.
While proponents argue the changes will enhance governance and policy continuity, critics contend that some provisions such as extending presidential term could weaken democratic oversight and centralise power.
Discover more from Nehanda Radio
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
