By Editor
HARARE — Zimbabwe’s National Assembly on Thursday passed the highly contentious Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Bill (No. 3) with 216 legislators voting in favour, 42 against and 22 abstaining, comfortably surpassing the 187 votes required for a two-thirds majority. The passage of the Bill marks a significant moment in Zimbabwe’s constitutional history and paves the way for the proposed amendments to proceed to the Senate, where the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union–Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) also commands a dominant majority.
The Bill has sparked intense political debate and public scrutiny since it was gazetted in February. Among its most controversial provisions are proposals to extend presidential, parliamentary and local authority terms from five years to seven years, replace direct presidential elections with a system in which Parliament elects the President, expand the Senate, and restructure key constitutional commissions. Critics argue that the changes would effectively enable President Emmerson Mnangagwa to remain in office until 2030.
Following the vote, Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) MP Charlton Hwende alleged that ZANU-PF had failed to secure the required two-thirds majority through its own members alone.
“ZANU-PF was short of the required threshold by seven votes and relied on 35 defectors to pass the Bill,” Hwende said.
The opposition lawmaker questioned the legitimacy of the support secured by the ruling party and said the vote highlighted divisions within opposition ranks. Supporters of the Bill maintain that the proposed amendments are necessary to promote policy continuity, reduce election-related tensions and provide sufficient time for the implementation of long-term national development programmes. The Bill’s memorandum describes the changes as reforms intended to strengthen governance and improve institutional efficiency.
However, opposition parties, constitutional experts and civil society organisations have condemned the legislation, warning that it weakens democratic safeguards established under the 2013 Constitution. Critics argue that shifting presidential elections from direct public participation to parliamentary selection would undermine popular sovereignty and concentrate greater power in the executive. Human rights organisations and legal advocacy groups have also raised concerns over the conduct of public consultations, citing reports of intimidation and limited opportunities for meaningful public participation during parliamentary hearings.
The Bill now proceeds to the Senate for consideration before it can be sent to President Emmerson Mnangagwa for assent.
As debate over the future of Zimbabwe’s constitutional order intensifies, the passage of Amendment Bill No. 3 is expected to trigger renewed political contestation and possible legal challenges from opposition parties and civil society groups. For many Zimbabweans, the vote represents more than a legislative process; it is a defining test of the country’s democratic trajectory and the enduring principles of constitutional governance.
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