Ziyambi Insists CAB 3 Vote Will Be Public as Constitutional Amendment Debate Intensifies

HARARE — ZANU PF national legal secretary and Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi has reaffirmed that Members of Parliament will vote on the controversial Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment No. 3 Bill (CAB 3) through a public show of hands rather than a secret ballot, arguing that the process promotes transparency and accountability.

The Constitutional Amendment No. 3 Bill is expected to be introduced in Parliament this week and has already sparked intense political debate across Zimbabwe. The proposed legislation seeks to make sweeping changes to the country’s governance framework, including extending the terms of office for the President, Members of Parliament, and local authority councillors from five years to seven years.

If passed, the amendments could extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s tenure by two years to 2030. The Bill also proposes replacing Zimbabwe’s direct presidential election system with a parliamentary election process in which legislators would elect the President.

Addressing a ZANU PF Provincial Coordinating Committee meeting in Chinhoyi, Ziyambi dismissed calls for a secret ballot, saying public voting ensures elected representatives remain accountable to voters.

“We want our ZANU PF candidates to be voted for. So, if they come fooling you that a secret ballot is the best because MPs will be bribed, refuse, because it will be public voting and transparent,” Ziyambi said.

In remarks that have generated further debate, the minister appeared to acknowledge concerns about vote-buying, telling party supporters to remain loyal despite potential inducements from political rivals.

“But if they come with money, take it, but know who to support,” he said.

Ziyambi also praised Mashonaland West province for what he described as strong mobilisation during the public consultation process on CAB 3, saying the province recorded the highest attendance at hearings and the largest number of written submissions.

The proposed constitutional amendments have attracted criticism from opposition parties, civil society organisations, and constitutional experts who argue that key provisions of the Constitution are being altered and should therefore be subjected to a national referendum. Legal analysts point to Section 328 of the Constitution, which requires a referendum for amendments affecting certain entrenched constitutional provisions.

Critics argue that changes to presidential terms and the method of electing a President fundamentally alter Zimbabwe’s democratic framework. Political analyst Rejoice Ngwenya said constitutional reforms of this magnitude require a broad national consensus.

“Any constitutional amendment that changes how citizens choose their leaders will inevitably attract public scrutiny and demands for wider consultation,” he said.

Meanwhile, self-styled Citizens Coalition for Change secretary-general Sengezo Tshabangu has defended Zimbabwe’s constitutional amendment procedures, arguing they are more consultative than those used in several Southern African countries. Writing on X, formerly Twitter, Tshabangu said countries such as Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, and Seychelles often amend constitutions through parliamentary processes without lengthy consultation periods or referendums.

“My submission rests on the fact that we are a bit more democratic here in Zimbabwe than most other SADC member States when it comes to issues related to constitutional amendments,” Tshabangu said.

The Bill requires a two-thirds majority in both the National Assembly and Senate before it can become law, setting the stage for one of Zimbabwe’s most consequential constitutional battles in recent years.

CAB 3 Zimbabwe