BULAWAYO – A wave of public disappointment and anger has swept across Matabeleland North and South following a unanimous and unexpectedly brief endorsement of the Constitutional Amendment (No. 3) Bill by the region’s traditional leaders. In a press conference in Bulawayo on Thursday evening that lasted less than two minutes, the National Council of Chiefs declared their full support for the controversial Bill. The move has sparked an immediate backlash from local communities

Zimbabwe is currently embroiled in a high-stakes constitutional debate following the gazetting of Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill. Backed by influential war veteran cohorts, the bill proposes a radical departure from the "Winner-Takes-All" popular vote, suggesting instead that the President be elected by a joint sitting of Parliament.