By Yvonne Mangani
The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) has strongly condemned the proposed Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3), warning that it threatens democratic principles and fundamental rights, while raising alarm over alleged abuses during recent public hearings.
Presenting the commission’s analysis, ZHRC chairperson Jessie Majome said the bill could undermine constitutional governance, particularly provisions that may extend presidential tenure and alter electoral processes.
Majome cautioned that extending presidential terms could infringe on citizens’ political rights enshrined in Section 67 of the Constitution, including the right to participate in regular elections. She noted that such changes may also violate international democratic standards that require periodic, credible elections.
“The potential negative effects are significant. Public trust in constitutional governance may erode if citizens perceive the law as pliable to political expediency. The balance of powers could be destabilised, marginalising Parliament’s oversight and the judiciary’s interpretive role, while concentrating authority in the executive,” said Majome.
The commission also expressed concern over proposals to remove citizens’ direct role in electing the president, warning that this could weaken popular sovereignty and democratic accountability.
“Removing the electorate from directly voting for the President risks diminishing popular sovereignty and weakening public trust in institutions. Concentrating presidential selection within Parliament raises the danger of parliamentary capture, where dominant parties manipulate rules to entrench power, marginalising smaller parties and opposition voices,” said Majome.
Beyond the bill itself, ZHRC reported widespread allegations of intimidation, harassment, and the exclusion of dissenting voices during the public consultation process, casting doubt on the credibility and inclusiveness of the hearings.
In a statement, the Commission said the conduct observed during the hearings undermined several constitutional rights, including freedom of expression (Section 61), freedom of conscience (Section 60), the right to human dignity (Section 51), personal security (Section 52), as well as equality and non-discrimination (Section 56).
ZHRC noted that individuals and groups who opposed the proposed amendments were, in many instances, denied the opportunity to participate in the hearings.
“Whilst those in support of the Constitutional Amendment were able to give their views, the Commission noted the harassment and intimidation of dissenting voices. Individuals and groups opposed to CAB3 were denied audience.
“The Commission observed instances where participants with divergent views to the proposed amendments were threatened, silenced, denied opportunities to contribute and in some instances physically attacked,” reads part of the statement.
The Commission further highlighted concerns over restricted access to hearing venues, alleging that some entry points were tightly controlled in ways that limited open participation.
“There was a strong pattern of controlled participation across most provinces. Some entrances to venues were often controlled by youths, with vetting at entry points and supervised sign-in registers with restricted access. For example in Mashonaland West, men holding whips were involved in vetting participants in Mhondoro Ngezi,” reads the statement.
Across the monitored venues by the ZHRC most submissions were in support of CAB3. The most supported proposals included extension of Presidential and parliamentary terms, election of the President by Members of Parliament, transfer of the voters roll from ZEC to the Civil Registry, appointment of additional senators by the PRESIDENT, MERGING THE Zimbabwe Gender Commission into the ZHRC, and allowing traditional leaders to participate in politics.
ZHRC said the reported incidents point to a broader pattern of interference that compromised the credibility of the public consultation process.
