ZANU PF Open to Referendum on Constitution Amendment Bill No. 3, Says Marapira

HARARE – ZANU PF says it is not opposed to a referendum on the proposed Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment No. 3 Bill (CAB3), but maintains that the country's supreme law does not require the proposed constitutional changes to be subjected to a public vote.

Speaking on Star FM's current affairs programme Muriro on Monday evening, ZANU PF Director for Information and Publicity Farai Marapira said the ruling party had acted within the confines of the Constitution and believed the consultation process conducted so far was legally sufficient.

"As ZANU PF, we have never refused to go to a referendum, but as a party, we work within the parameters of the law," Marapira said. "If one is to look at the dictates of the Constitution of 2013, these issues that are at hand do not require a plebiscite. "But this process that we have done is enough, and to my understanding, this issue was before the courts, and this is our stance as ZANU PF; not that we have any fear of a plebiscite, but it's just that we work within the parameters of the law."

Marapira added that the ruling party had fulfilled both the spirit and letter of the Constitution through parliamentary consultations and stakeholder engagement.

"We do not break the law to suit our own ends, or to suit anyone else's ends. This is what we believe we are doing," he said.

The Constitution Amendment Bill No. 3 has generated significant debate across Zimbabwe's political and civic landscape, with critics arguing that the proposed changes are too substantial to be approved solely through Parliament. Several civil society organisations, constitutional experts, church leaders and opposition politicians have called for a national referendum, saying Zimbabweans should directly decide on amendments that could reshape key governance structures. Among the strongest critics is the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), which has warned that CAB3 poses a serious threat to constitutional democracy and the separation of powers.

In a recent statement, ZLHR argued that the proposed amendments could weaken constitutional safeguards and undermine principles that were endorsed by millions of Zimbabweans during the 2013 constitutional referendum. The Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference has also expressed concern over the proposed amendments, warning that constitutional changes affecting presidential tenure and governance arrangements should receive direct public endorsement. According to the bishops, constitutional legitimacy is strengthened when citizens are given an opportunity to participate directly in decisions that affect the country's governance framework.

The Constitution Amendment Bill No. 3 seeks to introduce several changes to Zimbabwe's constitutional framework, including provisions relating to the tenure of certain public office holders and electoral arrangements. Supporters of the Bill argue that the amendments are administrative and constitutional in nature and can be legally enacted through the parliamentary process prescribed by the Constitution. Opponents, however, contend that the proposed changes have far-reaching political implications and should therefore be subjected to a national referendum. The debate is expected to intensify as Parliament continues considering the Bill, with pressure mounting on lawmakers to balance constitutional procedure, public participation and democratic accountability.

Constitution Amendment Bill No. 3