MASH WEST MOBILISATION: Varakashi4ED Applauds Strong Turnout in CAB3 Public Hearings

The Mashonaland West chapter of Varakashi4ED has issued a strong message of appreciation to the province's residents following what it described as an exceptional level of engagement in the ongoing Constitution Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3) parliamentary public hearings. The organization highlighted the province's participation, achieved through both high physical attendance at the hearings and a significant volume of written submissions presented directly to Parliament.

The achievement was officially brought to light by Mary Mliswa during an inter-district leadership meeting held recently in Chegutu. Speaking on behalf of the ZANU-PF Mashonaland West provincial chairman, Levison Chambati, Mliswa commended the structures for successfully coordinating citizens and stakeholders to ensure the province’s voice was distinctly heard during the parliamentary outreach.

In a press statement released on May 15, the group lauded the turnout as a clear sign of the province's alignment with national legislative agendas:

"The massive turnout and overwhelming written submissions on CAB3 clearly demonstrate the province's strong support for the constitutional amendment process and the people's commitment to actively participating in national governance matters," the statement read.

According to Varakashi4ED, the high level of public engagement reflects a growing grassroots appreciation for the structural changes outlined within the CAB3 framework. The organization underscored that the amendment bill plays a vital role in stabilizing the macro-governance environment, thereby aligning national development goals with Vision 2030 under the leadership of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The group further emphasized that Mashonaland West's mobilization capacity reinforces its standing as one of ZANU-PF's premier political baselines, thanking party structures, youth leagues, women’s coalitions, and community leaders for driving the civic education and turnout efforts.

The Constitution Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3), gazetted earlier this year, represents one of the most comprehensive shifts in Zimbabwe's legislative architecture since the adoption of the 2013 Constitution. Key provisions currently being audited through public feedback include:

• Executive Terms: Extending presidential and parliamentary terms of office from five to seven years.

• Presidential Selection: Shifting the method of presidential election from a direct popular vote to an indirect election determined by a joint sitting of Parliament.

• Institutional Alignment: Streamlining the functions of independent commissions, such as absorbing the mandate of the Zimbabwe Gender Commission into the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission.

As the Portfolio Committees conclude the compilation of public hearing data, the consolidated reports are expected to be tabled before the National Assembly to steer upcoming parliamentary debates on the bill.

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