Zimbabwe’s Parliament sat until after midnight on Tuesday as opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) legislators mounted a determined resistance against efforts to conclude debate on the controversial Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Bill (No. 3), widely known as CAB3.
The lengthy sitting turned increasingly tense after Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi appeared ready to wind up the second reading debate and move the Bill to its next stage.
Pointing out that a record number of legislators had already contributed, the minister suggested Parliament had heard enough views on the proposed constitutional changes.
Opposition MPs strongly disagreed.
Dangamvura legislator Prosper Mutseyami immediately challenged the move, insisting that several lawmakers, including himself, had not yet been given an opportunity to speak on the Bill.
The dispute intensified when Deputy Speaker Tsitsi Geza suggested remaining members could make their contributions during the committee stage.
Leading the pushback was Marondera Central MP Caston Matewu, who argued that all constituencies and provinces deserved representation in a debate involving constitutional changes.
He maintained that lawmakers had a duty to present the views of the communities that elected them before debate could be closed.
Facing mounting resistance, Zanu PF Chief Whip Pupurai Togarepi proposed reducing speaking time from 20 minutes to 10 minutes per member in an effort to accommodate the dozens of legislators still waiting to contribute.
Despite objections from opposition benches, the ruling was adopted and debate continued.
The most dramatic moment came when Matewu took the floor. Declaring that he was speaking on behalf of the people of Marondera Central, he delivered a passionate rejection of CAB3, describing the 2013 Constitution as a product of national consensus and warning that the proposed amendments would fundamentally alter the relationship between citizens and the state without adequate public consultation.
Matewu also challenged provisions that would transfer the election of future presidents from direct popular vote to Parliament, arguing that Zimbabweans should not be stripped of the right to choose their head of state.
As his allocated speaking time expired, Geza repeatedly instructed him to conclude his remarks. Matewu insisted he had not exhausted his allotted time and continued speaking. After several warnings, the Deputy Speaker ordered him to leave the chamber.
His removal triggered uproar in the House. Kuwadzana MP Chalton Hwende protested the decision, arguing that the reduced speaking time had been agreed outside normal parliamentary procedures.
The confrontation quickly escalated into scenes of disorder, with lawmakers from opposing sides exchanging heated words and parliamentary business grinding to a halt as tensions flared.
Several opposition legislators used their contributions to attack key provisions of the Bill. Harare proportional representation MP Ellen Shiriyedenga argued that CAB3 would weaken constitutional democracy rather than strengthen it.
She criticised proposals affecting judicial appointments and warned that transferring electoral responsibilities away from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission could undermine institutional independence.
Kadoma Central MP Miriam Mambipiri accused the government of attempting to reverse democratic gains secured under the 2013 Constitution.
She rejected arguments that extending presidential terms was necessary to complete development projects, pointing to long-delayed infrastructure projects as evidence against the claim.
Supporters of the Bill were equally determined. Togarepi warned that Zanu PF members were prepared to remain in the chamber throughout the night if necessary to complete the speakers’ list.
The debate, which began shortly after 2pm, eventually stretched beyond midnight. At 12:22am, Ziyambi moved for adjournment, saying other ministers, including Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe and Energy Minister July Moyo, still needed to address technical aspects of the Bill before Parliament entered the committee stage.
The minister noted that more than 200 legislators had participated in the debate, describing it as an unprecedented level of engagement.
Debate was adjourned to Wednesday, when ministers are expected to respond before the Bill proceeds to committee stage and eventually a vote in the National Assembly.
CAB3 is expected to pass comfortably given Zanu PF’s two-thirds majority in the National Assembly and its strong influence in the Senate.
Among its most controversial proposals are extending presidential terms from five to seven years and replacing direct presidential elections with a parliamentary voting system. President Emmerson Mnangagwa is currently due to leave office in 2028 after serving two five-year terms.
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