By Correspondent
LONDON — June 4, 2026 — Zimbabwean lawyer, former Finance Minister, and opposition figure Tendai Biti addressed policymakers, academics, and members of the Zimbabwean diaspora at the prestigious Chatham House in London this week, warning that Zimbabwe faces what he described as a growing constitutional and democratic crisis.
Speaking during a discussion focused on Zimbabwe’s political future, Biti criticized the proposed Constitution Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3), arguing that the legislation would fundamentally alter key provisions of the country’s 2013 Constitution.
“The Constitution belongs to the people of Zimbabwe,” Biti reportedly told attendees. “Any attempt to weaken its safeguards threatens the democratic gains that Zimbabweans fought hard to secure.”
Biti described the proposed amendments as a serious challenge to constitutional governance, claiming they would centralize power and reduce the influence of ordinary citizens in the country’s democratic processes. He also raised concerns about the manner in which public consultations on the bill had been conducted, alleging that some meetings had been affected by intimidation and political violence.
The event attracted a diverse audience, including policy analysts, researchers, diplomats, members of civil society organizations, and Zimbabweans living in the United Kingdom. Participants listened as Biti outlined what he sees as the political and constitutional implications of the proposed changes.
Much of the discussion took place under the Chatham House Rule, a long-standing practice designed to encourage open and frank debate. As a result, details of individual audience contributions were not publicly disclosed.
However, sources familiar with the meeting said attendees raised questions about Zimbabwe’s democratic trajectory, electoral reforms, governance standards, and the role of the international community in supporting constitutionalism and the rule of law.
Biti’s appearance came at a time of heightened political debate in Zimbabwe, where the proposed constitutional amendments have generated significant discussion among political parties, legal experts, civil society groups, and citizens.
The London event also provided an opportunity for international stakeholders to hear first-hand perspectives on recent developments in Zimbabwe and their potential implications for governance, economic stability, and democratic accountability.
No official transcript or video recording of the event had been released at the time of publication.
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