"Morally Indefensible": Zimbabwe Council of Churches Opposes Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3

HARARE — The Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) has formally declared its opposition to the proposed Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3), warning that the legislation threatens the nation’s democratic foundations and serves the interests of political elites over the citizenry. In a comprehensive statement released on Monday, April 13, 2026, and followed by a formal submission to Parliament at Mt. Hampden today, the ecumenical body representing 32 denominations and over three million citizens called for the immediate withdrawal or substantial revision of the Bill.

Invoking the biblical role of the "Watchman" from Ezekiel 3:17, the ZCC argued that it is duty-bound to speak out when the nation "walks toward harm." The Council categorized the proposed amendments as not only politically risky but "morally indefensible before God."

"The Church cannot support an amendment that compromises public trust, weakens democratic accountability, and diverges from God’s will for just and compassionate leadership," the statement read. The ZCC further asserted that silencing the voices of the people through such reforms is ethically unacceptable.

The ZCC’s submission highlighted three pillars of the Bill that it believes will derail national progress:

• Executive Consolidation: Shifting from a direct popular vote to a parliamentary election of the President diminishes citizen agency and concentrates power within a joint sitting of Parliament.

• Prolonged Incumbency: Extending terms for the President, Parliament, and local authorities from five to seven years is viewed as a mechanism to protect current incumbents rather than drive performance.

• Weakened Accountability: The Council warned that removing transparency mechanisms could "open the door to corruption and the massive, unchecked accumulation of wealth by those in power."

Rather than allowing Parliament to unilaterally enact these changes, the ZCC proposed a more inclusive path forward:

1. Independent Commission: The establishment of an Independent Constitution Amendment Commission to lead consultations free from institutional self-interest.

2. National Referendum: The Church insists that because the Bill fundamentally alters the 2013 Constitution and benefits current incumbents, a national referendum is a mandatory democratic requirement.

3. Institutional Stability: "Genuine long-term development requires stable institutions, not prolonged incumbency," the Council noted, pushing back against the government's narrative that longer terms foster stability.

Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3: The Core Proposals

Provision	Existing Framework	Proposed Change
Presidential Election	Direct popular vote by citizens	Joint sitting of Parliament (>50% majority)
Term Limits	5-Year Cycle	7-Year Cycle
Senate Composition	80 Members	90 Members (10 Presidential Appointees)
Voter Registry	Managed by ZEC	Returned to the Registrar-General

While the government has described the Bill as a "modernization" effort, the ZCC’s opposition adds to a growing coalition of critics, including the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) and various civil society groups, who argue the reforms represent a "democratic regression." Public and written submissions on the Bill are being accepted by Parliament until May 17, 2026.

Zimbabwe Council of Churches CAB3 opposition