Harare, (New Ziana) – Constitutional Amendment Bill Number 3 (CAB3) is now awaiting Presidential assent after the Senate on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved it.
A total of 75 Senators, among them several members of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), voted in support of the Bill, while five voted against it. The vote was conducted under the supervision of Senate President Mabel Chinomona.
The Senate’s approval comes after the National Assembly passed the Bill last week. Once President Emmerson Mnangagwa signs it into law, the amendments will be officially gazetted and become part of the Constitution.
Among the major provisions contained in the Bill are the extension of the Presidential, parliamentary and local government terms of office from five to seven years and a shift from direct election of the President by citizens to election through a joint sitting of Parliament.
Addressing Senators during debate on the legislation, Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said the Bill attracted unprecedented participation during its Second Reading stage, with 55 Senators contributing to the discussion.
“55 Senators debated on this Bill, and that is historic. The majority of them were in favour of the Bill and indicated that it is very progressive. There was constructive engagement, and the debates enriched our democratic process. We must view our Constitution as an enabling framework rather than a document that directly delivers goods and services,” he said.
Ziyambi said the Government had taken note of recommendations made by Senators concerning the inclusion of provisions on post-conflict healing and reconciliation. He acknowledged that conflict was an inevitable feature of societies and said there was value in considering constitutional mechanisms that address reconciliation and national healing.
The Minister also recognised concerns raised over the role of traditional leaders, stating that the Government remained committed to safeguarding the status and dignity of Chiefs while pursuing legislative measures to resolve outstanding matters affecting them.
New Ziana
