Parliament debate shows CAB3 support, cross-party push keeps Gender Commission

Parliament debate shows CAB3 support, cross-party push keeps Gender Commission

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More than 30 legislators have contributed to debate on the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill (CAB3) since its Second Reading, with most speakers backing key governance and electoral reform proposals while calling for the Zimbabwe Gender Commission to remain a standalone constitutional body.

According to the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC), the debate began last Thursday after Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Hon Ziyambi Ziyambi presented the Bill for its Second Reading and a joint parliamentary committee report was tabled. Deliberations continued on Friday and are expected to resume when Parliament reconvenes on Tuesday.

Among the proposals that drew significant support in the House are extending Zimbabwe’s electoral cycle from five to seven years, transferring voter registration to the Registrar-General, creating a dedicated Electoral Delimitation Commission and introducing a system in which Parliament elects the President.

Some MPs argued the package would improve governance continuity and institutional efficiency, creating what they described as a more stable environment for long-term national development. One legislator, quoted by ZBC, described CAB3 as “an act of refinement and responsible governance” and urged lawmakers “across the political divide” to support it, adding: “The people have spoken and their message is clear that CAB3 should be enacted into law.”

Support was also expressed for shifting voter registration and maintenance of the voters’ roll to the Registrar-General’s Office. Hon Josiah Makombe told Parliament that automatic registration through the Registrar-General would improve the system, saying: “once a voter is registered at 18 years, it will be up to the voter maybe to change the constituency of work.” She added: “I strongly support this proposal.”

Hon Auxillia Dhanzi also backed the proposal, saying: “Consolidating these responsibilities under one institution will improve efficiency, strengthen record management and enhance public confidence in the administration of the electoral process.”

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The idea of Parliament electing the President received support from some lawmakers who said it would align Zimbabwe with practices used elsewhere in the region and the Commonwealth. Hon Samantha Mureyani argued that if Parliament already has constitutional authority to remove a President from office, it should also be empowered to elect one. “If Parliament has the power to impeach, it only makes sense that it has the power to…” elect the President, she told the House.

Proponents of a seven-year term for the President, Parliament and local authorities argued the change would reduce what one MP described as a “perpetual campaign atmosphere” and allow leaders time to implement long-term plans. Hon Getrude Mutandi said the proposed change would provide “continuity in leadership and policy execution necessary for long-term national progress,” adding: “development is not an event, it is a process that requires stability, predictability and sustained leadership.”

Support was also indicated for setting up a Zimbabwe Electoral Delimitation Commission, with supporters arguing that specialised institutions can improve transparency and public confidence in electoral processes.

However, ZBC reported that lawmakers from across the debate consistently opposed proposals to absorb the Zimbabwe Gender Commission into the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission. Hon Makombe said women had benefited from the Commission’s work, declaring: “I want to strongly oppose the removal of the Gender Commission from its current setup.” Hon Mutandi reportedly warned that dismantling the body could reverse progress on gender equality, while the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Women Affairs argued its removal would “erode confidence among citizens and partners alike”.

The National Assembly is expected to continue considering CAB3 on Tuesday, with further contributions anticipated before the Bill moves to the next stages of the constitutional amendment process.

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