Prominent Zimbabwean human rights lawyer Doug Coltart has publicly confirmed that he submitted formal objections to the controversial Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 at Parliament, while urging Zimbabweans to also register their opposition before the May 18, 2026 deadline.
Coltart travelled to the Parliament of Zimbabwe on Friday and later shared a video on X documenting the submission process.
“We successfully submitted our letters to Parliament objecting to #CAB3,” Coltart wrote.
“If you haven’t yet, you still can at [email protected] or at the Parliament Building before 18 May 2026.”
He added that he would later publish the full contents of his objection letter.
Coltart’s latest intervention comes just weeks after he was assaulted during chaotic parliamentary public hearings held on March 31, 2026 over the same constitutional amendments.
The hearing at the City Sports Centre descended into violence amid growing tensions surrounding proposals that could extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s stay in power.
Coltart was attacked by individuals supporting the proposed presidential term extension as he attempted to leave the venue after protesting what critics described as intimidation tactics and the denial of opportunities to speak.
He was shoved and slapped by assailants, leaving him bruised, while his glasses were broken during the confrontation.
His mobile phone was also seized, later allegedly traced to Luckmore Tinashe Gapa, a member of ZANU-PF’s central committee.
One of the attackers was publicly identified as Nicholas Hamadziripi, a ZANU-PF district official from Churu in Harare.
Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 has sparked widespread criticism from legal experts, civil society groups, opposition parties and church organisations.
Among the proposals reportedly contained in the bill are plans to extend Mnangagwa’s second and final term in office from 2028 to 2030, extend Parliament’s term by two years and abolish direct presidential elections in favour of parliamentary selection.
Critics argue the proposed amendments threaten constitutional safeguards, weaken democratic accountability and increase the concentration of political power.
This week, Catholic bishops warned that the bill could undermine institutional independence and erode constitutional protections against abuse of power.
The proposed amendments have also reportedly deepened factional tensions within ZANU-PF itself.
Coltart’s latest move adds to growing civic resistance against the controversial bill as Parliament prepares for further debate on the proposed constitutional changes.
Discover more from Nehanda Radio
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
