ZANU-PF MOBILIZES: Party Targets 45,000 Submissions in Push for Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3

HARARE — The ruling ZANU-PF party is reportedly orchestrating a massive campaign to secure support for the controversial Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3, with internal directives targeting over 45,000 written submissions from Mashonaland West province alone.

According to leaked internal communications, Mashonaland West provincial chairperson Mary Mliswa has issued a clear mandate to party structures, including the Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC), District Coordinating Committee (DCC), Members of Parliament, councillors, and traditional leaders. The directive sets strict quotas to be met by Thursday, aiming to consolidate support for the proposed legislative changes.

The mobilization strategy outlines specific performance targets for party leadership to ensure the submission goal is reached:

• PCC Members: Each is tasked with facilitating 100 submissions.

• DCC Members: Each is required to oversee 50 submissions.

• Members of Parliament: Each MP is expected to secure at least 5,000 copies.

The leaked message explicitly instructs party cadres to coordinate closely with traditional leadership and provides a standard template for these submissions, though it notes that ordinary paper is also acceptable.

The Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 is currently before Parliament and has triggered intense national debate. At its core, the bill proposes significant structural changes, including provisions that critics fear could allow President Emmerson Mnangagwa to extend his tenure beyond the current two-term limit, potentially reaching 2030. The mobilization drive follows a series of public hearings that concluded two weeks ago, which were marked by significant controversy. Civil society organizations and opposition groups have alleged that these proceedings were procedurally biased and tilted in favor of pro-amendment voices, effectively stifling dissenting opinions.

With the deadline for written submissions set for May 17, 2026, the political tension surrounding the reform process continues to escalate. As the ruling party intensifies its efforts to secure a massive showing of support, observers remain focused on whether these submissions will be viewed as a true reflection of public sentiment or as a coordinated effort to manufacture consensus for a bill that remains one of the most polarizing legislative initiatives in recent history.

ZANU-PF Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 submissions