Hwende says opposition dismantled itself as CAB3 battle exposes strategic failures

Former Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) secretary-general Chalton Hwende has launched a stinging critique of opposition activists and supporters, arguing that decisions made after the party’s collapse left opponents of Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3) without the structures needed to mount an effective resistance.

In a lengthy Facebook post, the Kuwadzana East MP said warnings raised by some party leaders about dissolving CCC structures and abandoning the party constitution were ignored by supporters who instead celebrated the move.

Hwende said those who remained in Parliament were branded “sellouts” while others insisted a new political formation would quickly emerge. According to him, promises that a replacement party would be established within months never materialised.

He argued that the absence of organised structures weakened the opposition’s ability to mobilise citizens against constitutional changes now being pursued by ZANU-PF.

“What they didn’t know was that without party structures and a constitution, there was no chance of effectively mobilizing citizens to resist attempts to amend the constitution,” Hwende wrote.

He pointed to the relatively low number of public submissions opposing CAB3 as evidence that the opposition lacked an organised grassroots network capable of mobilising nationwide resistance.

Hwende also criticised persistent attacks on opposition MPs who chose to remain in Parliament, saying many legislators had repeatedly been told they would never be re-elected.

He argued that such hostility discouraged lawmakers and undermined efforts to build a united front against the constitutional amendment.

His comments come amid growing debate over how best to oppose CAB3, one of the most controversial constitutional proposals in recent years.

Political commentator Pride Mkono recently argued that while several opposition MPs had delivered compelling speeches against the Bill, speeches alone were unlikely to stop its passage.

Writing for Nehanda Radio, Mkono said opponents had won praise on social media but failed to engage in broader political and legal strategies that could slow or complicate the amendment process.

He questioned why opposition legislators had not mounted a sustained challenge to the proposed voting procedures, arguing that a constitutional amendment of such significance should be decided through a secret ballot.

According to Mkono, a secret vote would allow MPs to act according to conscience without fear of political pressure or intimidation.

The debate surrounding CAB3 has intensified following the public support of some opposition legislators for the Bill.

Budiriro North MP Susan Matsunga attracted fierce criticism after openly backing proposals contained in the amendment, including extending President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s tenure by two years.

Speaking in Parliament, Matsunga argued that the President should remain in office longer to allow Zimbabweans to continue benefiting from development programmes introduced under the Second Republic.

The controversy has deepened amid allegations that some MPs were offered financial incentives to support the Bill.

Claims have circulated that legislators received US$10,000 each in exchange for backing the proposal, although no evidence has been publicly produced to substantiate the allegations.

At the same time, controversial tenderpreneur Wicknell Chivayo has publicly rewarded legislators who have spoken in favour of CAB3.

CCC proportional representation MP Samantha Mureyani, who entered Parliament through an appointment by Sengezo Tshabangu in 2024, recently defended proposals to change the method of electing Zimbabwe’s president and supported extending presidential terms from five to seven years.

Mureyani argued that parliamentary election of the president could reduce political violence, lower election costs and strengthen cooperation between the executive and legislature.

Following her parliamentary contribution, Chivayo announced on social media that she would receive a brand-new 2026 Toyota Fortuner 2.8 GD6 and US$50,000 for constituency development projects.

She became the second CCC legislator to receive a vehicle and cash from Chivayo. Matsunga had earlier been awarded a Toyota Fortuner 4×4 and US$50,000 after publicly praising President Mnangagwa and government development initiatives.

As Parliament moves closer to voting on CAB3, divisions within the opposition continue to widen, with growing disagreement not only over the Bill itself but also over the strategy required to stop it.