CONSTITUTIONAL WATCH: Matabeleland Communities Outraged as Chiefs Endorse Amendment No. 3
- Southerton Business Times
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
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 who feel their traditional representatives have abandoned their role as neutral custodians of culture.
The endorsement was confirmed by the Council’s President, Chief Mtshane Khumalo, who was flanked by the Council’s Deputy President, Chief Fortune Charumbira. The briefing was notable for its brevity and the strict prohibition of follow-up questions from journalists, leading to widespread criticism regarding the transparency of the consultative process.
“We unanimously endorse and support the Constitutional Amendment Number 3 Bill. We will be submitting two or three issues relating to traditional leaders’ enhancement,” Chief Mtshane stated.
The meeting included high-ranking traditional leaders such as Senator Chief Siansali, Chief Sitaudze, Chief Mathuphula, and Chief Nyangazonke, among others from the two provinces.
The core of the community’s "outrage" centers on Clause 20 of the proposed amendment. Under the current 2013 Constitution, traditional leaders are strictly prohibited from acting in a partisan manner or advancing the interests of any political party. However, Clause 20 seeks to fundamentally alter this by allowing chiefs, headmen, and village heads to openly participate in partisan politics.
Speaking to CITE, community members accused the chiefs of "selling out" the neutral status of the throne. Critics argue that by endorsing a Bill that allows them to be partisan, the chiefs are effectively seeking to become political agents rather than community unifiers.
“How can a chief be a judge in a community dispute if he is wearing a party scarf?” questioned one resident from Lupane. “This destroys the 'civic contract' between the people and their traditional leaders.”
Legal experts have also noted that the move appears to conflict with the spirit of the current Constitution, which was designed to insulate traditional structures from the polarizing nature of party politics. As the Bill moves toward Parliament, the "Bulawayo Declaration" by the chiefs is expected to be a major flashpoint in the national debate over Zimbabwe’s democratic future.
Matabeleland chiefs endorse Amendment 3
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