By Brighton Chiseva
MASVINGO – Residents across Masvingo province have raised concerns over the
choice of venues for public consultations on the proposed Constitutional Amendment
Bill Number 3, with many alleging that the locations were deliberately selected to
discourage participation and silence dissenting voices.
In Zaka, the consultations are scheduled to be held at Rudhanda High School in Zaka
South.
Speaking to TellZim News, Zaka Ward 19 Councillor Albert Mazvanya voiced his
concern, arguing that Rudhanda was not centrally located as it sits close to the border
between Zaka and Chiredzi districts, thereby disadvantaging the rest of the district. He
also claimed that the choice of venue favours Zanu PF, considering that it is just a few
metres from the home of Zaka District Coordinating Committee Chairperson Clemence
Chiduwa, who is also the Zaka South MP.
“Rudhanda is not central at all. This is a deliberate move by the ruling party to make
sure they do not capture what people really want, hence moving the venue to a strategic
place thereby disadvantaging the rest,” said Mazvanya.
He went on to express fears that the venue being close to Chiduwa’s home was not a
good sign, and chances of violence were high if there are any opposing voices during
the consultations.
“I think there is going to be violence if anyone tries to speak differently or oppose the
bill. The reason they chose that venue is to have people who are loyal and whom they
can hold to account after the consultation,” said Mazvanya.
A Zaka resident who spoke on condition of anonymity echoed similar fears, pointing to
the area’s political character.
“That area is known to have Zanu PF fanatics who can cause harm to anyone who tries
to oppose the bill. People are already afraid to speak out because they know what
happens to those who disagree in that locality,” said one resident.
Another Zaka resident Peter Imbayarwo, told TellZim News that the choice of venue
was deliberate to deprive locals a chance to speak their minds. He said that all along,
previous consultations were held in Jerera, not only because it is central but also
convenient, unlike Rudhanda where other locals need to use two to three vehicles to get
to the venue.
“There is no advantage if we want Zaka representation. The only people who are closer
are part of Ward 25, Ward 28, and Ward 29; the rest are disadvantaged. Look at
someone from Ward 1 or 2, they have to go via Roy then Jerera, then Rudhanda.
Those from Bvukururu will get transport to Gumbo, take another one to Jerera, and
then get another one to Rudhanda. Those from Benzi area have to come to Jerera first
or go via Chiredzi, so the venue disadvantages a number of people, and I think it’s a
deliberate ploy to make sure that ordinary people do not attend,” said Imbayarwo.
He went on to say all consultations used to be held at BSPZ in Jerera, and people were
now afraid to go, meaning only those who will be bused can attend.
“All the other consultations used to be done here in Jerera. What is so important about
this one that it has been taken to Rudhanda? Most people who finance themselves to
get there will not, and most of them are afraid. So basing on that, whatever result that
comes out will not be a true reflection of Zaka,” said Imbayarwo.
In Bikita, a similar complaint has been raised by residents. Brilliant Mukaro told TellZim
News that consultations in Bikita were slated for Matsvange area in Bikita South, which
is about 30 kilometres of dust road from Nyika growth point.
“The venue was deliberately chosen to move away from people at the growth point who
are perceived to be against the government and were suspected to reject the Bill.
Ordinary people from Nyika and surrounding areas will now struggle to travel that
distance on a dusty road, yet the consultations could easily have been held at a more
accessible location,” said Mukaro.
For the Masvingo district consultation, the venue is Chidzikwe in Masvingo South. A
Masvingo resident who also requested anonymity said the choice of Chidzikwe was
problematic.
“Chidzikwe is in Summerton area, known as a no-go area for the opposition. It is a Zanu
PF stronghold where opposing voices are not tolerated. Holding consultations there is
deliberate because no one will dare to oppose the bill in that environment,” said the
resident.
Masvingo Urban MP Martin Mureri, who also sits on the Parliamentary Portfolio
Committee on Justice which is responsible for organizing the consultations, said he
raised a concern during committee meetings and they promised to look into the matter.
He said Chidzikwe, the venue for Masvingo District, was not central at all and would
disadvantage many people who would want to attend the meeting.
“I raised concern over this just yesterday. I indicated that Chidzikwe was not central and
they should look for another venue. I told them that they should consult MPs to help
them find central places, not just decide on their own. The committee chairperson
however promised to take the matter up to those who are organizing the venues,” said
Mureri.
People from areas like Majiri in Masvingo Central, Renco Mine, and Nyikavanhu in
Masvingo South will have to travel using more than two vehicles to get to the venue as
well, making it difficult to get there in time and travel back home the same day using
public transport.
Chiredzi Central MP, Ropafadzo Makumire, voiced similar concerns, saying most
venues were not strategic if the aim is to capture people’s views. He said the bill was so
important that it needed intensive and wide consultations, arguing that district level
consultations were not enough.
“This bill is important, so the consultations were supposed to be done at polling station
level. However, because of resource constraints, they could do constituency based
consultations because district ones cannot be enough,” said Makumire.
Contacted for comment, Masvingo Central legislator Edison Zvobgo Junior who chairs
the responsible parliamentary portfolio committee said they were open to people’s
concerns and were ready to address those that can be addressed.
“We organized to have one consultative meeting per administrative district, but there
were concerns about Bulawayo so we added another venue. This shows we welcome
people’s input and where possible we can address,” said Zvobgo.
He went on to agree with Makumire that if resources permitted they could have done
more, but said people have to appreciate that this was one of the most widely consulted
bills, since most are done at provincial level.
“If resources permitted we could have organized more, but people have to know that
when we did the Death Penalty bill and many others, we simply did one per province.
But this time we tried to go down to districts. If we had resources we could have gone
maybe to constituencies. So this is the most widely consulted bill in the history of the
country. We will however look at the concerns and see how best we can address,” said
Zvobgo.
Speaking during a Provincial Coordinating Committee meeting recently, Zanu PF
Masvingo Chairperson Robson Mavhenyengwa promised the party principals who were
present that the party was ready for the consultations at the centers established for that
purpose. Many however believe that Zanu PF will bus supporters to the venue
considering that the party has resources. Chidzikwe is one of the Zanu PF strongholds
in the province, a resettlement area dominated by ruling party sympathisers.
The Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill, 2026, proposes the extension of
presidential and parliamentary terms of office from five to seven years, with transitional
clauses allowing the current President and Parliament to remain in office until 2030
instead of 2028. The bill also seeks to change how the President is elected, replacing
the current system of direct popular vote with a parliamentary process where Members
of Parliament and Senators sitting jointly would elect the President.
Other proposed changes include giving the President power to appoint ten Senators
chosen for their professional skills and other competencies, increasing the Senate from
80 to 90 members. The bill proposes transferring voter registration functions from the
Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to the Registrar-General’s Office, and
establishing a separate Zimbabwe Electoral Delimitation Commission to handle the
delimitation of electoral boundaries.
It also seeks to abolish the Zimbabwe Gender Commission and transfer its functions to
the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission, as well as remove the requirement for public
interviews in judicial appointments, giving the President greater discretion in appointing judges.
