Harare, (New Ziana) – The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission on Tuesday expressed mixed reactions to the proposal in the Constitutional Amendment Bill Number 3 (CAB 3), for the President to appoint 10 Senators, noting that the move introduces both opportunities and challenges within the governance architecture.
In its analysis of whether the proposed amendments align with obligations of the country to uphold democratic governance, safeguard civil and political rights, and ensure the continued protection of fundamental freedoms, the ZHRC highlighted the risks and the positives.
The Zimbabwe Parliament conducted public hearings on CAB3 between 16 February and 2 April this year across the 71 administrative districts of the country.
Through its review, the ZHRC sought to determine the extent to which the Bill complies with constitutional guarantees and international human rights norms, and to highlight areas where the proposed reforms may pose risks to the enjoyment of rights or the integrity of democratic institutions.
Speaking at a press conference, the ZHRC chairperson, Jessie Majome, said while the objective is to broaden technical expertise in Parliament, enhance oversight, expand the pool of potential Ministers, build public confidence, and reduce political and social divisions, it may erode the prospects of gender parity.
“On the positive side, the provision can strengthen the quality of Parliamentary deliberations. By enabling the President to appoint individuals with specialized knowledge, such as experts in law, economics, health, or engineering, the Senate could benefit from enhanced technical capacity. This expertise may improve legislative scrutiny, policy development, and oversight of the executive,” she said.
“Additionally, expanding the pool of potential Ministers ensures that governance is not limited to elected politicians but can draw on professionals with proven competence. In contexts where political divisions run deep, presidential appointments may also serve as a mechanism to include voices from diverse backgrounds, thereby fostering inclusivity and national unity,” she added.
Majome said the ZHRC is of the view that if implemented transparently, such appointments could build public confidence in Parliament by demonstrating a commitment to merit and expertise.
She however said the negatives are equally significant as allowing the President to appoint Senators risks undermining the independence of Parliament by increasing Executive influence over the Legislature.
“This could blur the fundamental principle of separation of powers and weaken the Senate’s role as a check on presidential authority. The appointment process may also be perceived as partisan, particularly if the President uses it to reward loyalists or consolidate political control rather than to promote expertise. Such perceptions could erode public trust rather than enhance it. Furthermore, increasing the number of senators without clear safeguards may dilute the representational balance, raising questions about accountability and legitimacy,” she explained.
“If appointments are not subject to transparent criteria or Parliamentary approval, the risk of patronage and politicization becomes pronounced. In consideration of the preceding, the amendment has the potential to enrich parliamentary oversight and broaden expertise; it simultaneously raises concerns about executive overreach and the erosion of legislative independence,” she noted.
Majome added that the success of the proposed reforms depend on the establishment of robust safeguards such as clear appointment criteria, transparency in selection, and mechanisms for accountability to ensure that the provision strengthens democratic governance rather than consolidates Presidential power.
“Only under such conditions can the amendment achieve its intended goals of inclusivity, stability, and enhanced public confidence,” she said.
On the proposed seven-year Presidential term, Majome said altering some provisions would affect the entire electoral cycle, not just the Presidency, and because the tenure of the President is a core Constitutional matter, such a change would require approval through a referendum.
“This is vividly explicated by section 328 (7) of the Constitution. This safeguard ensures that citizens directly endorse or reject the reform, reinforcing the principle that fundamental changes must be legitimized by popular consent,” she said.
The ZHRC mandate obliges it to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms, to monitor the State’s compliance with its Constitutional and international human rights obligations, as well as to foster awareness and respect for these rights across all sectors of society.
The role of the Commission includes providing authoritative opinions, recommendations, and reports to the government, Parliament, and other relevant institutions.
New Ziana
