By Correspondent
Approval of the controversial constitutional amendment bill granting President Mnangagwa an extra two years in power is imminent as Parliament meets on Tuesday, with any hopes of something or someone blocking it fading further.
Last week, the National Assembly approved Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3) with 216 in support and only 42 against.
Senate then also approved it with an even more emphatic 75 in support and a mere 4 against.
However, some cosmetic changes proposed in the Senate mean the Bill returns to the National Assembly this Tuesday.
Once the amendments are approved, all that remains is for President Mnangagwa to consent by signing it into law.
With next to no movement on the political front, it appears that nothing will stop the Bill.
Fading Opposition
Former opposition leader Nelson Chamisa recently dismissed claims that CAB3 is a settled matter.
In a statement posted on his social media platforms, Chamisa said those claiming CAB3 was a “done deal” were either misleading the public or ignoring the role of citizens in determining the country’s future.
“The citizens are the ultimate decision-makers; they alone have the authority to endorse, reject, or seal any deal,” Chamisa said.
However, he has not offered any practical solution on how citizens can block the controversial Bill.
The stance has led to renewed accusations that he may be conflicted also.
Critics have pointed at his leaked audio recording in which he criticised Jameson Timba, Tendai Biti and other former allies for organising opposition to the Bill without his approval.
In the audio, over which he has not commented, Chamisa is heard querying Timba as to who gave him the mandate to lead the opposition.
Chiwenga’s Mythical Power Persists In Silence
Meanwhile, Vice President Chiwenga, for a long time rumoured to be against the Bill, has continued with his litany of parables and innuendos.
Speaking at the Inaugural Southern Africa Public Procurement Forum in Harare, Chiwenga said the region’s public procurement challenges include abuse of direct procurement, conflicts of interest and limited public participation.
The statement, read in the current political dynamics of the country is the latest missive against Zvigananda, who have flourished through government tenders.
CAB3 has been projected by its critics as the product of various politically connected tenderpreneurs who seek to continue benefiting under Mnangagwa’s rule.
However, despite the many conspiracies placing him as the main saviour, Chiwenga has failed or refused to do anything.
His power connections with the military have been systematically eroded, while the flawless passage of the Bill towards Mnangagwa’s signature speaks of a man more myth than reality.
Flailing Citizens
The only viable opposition that has appeared has been the Tendai Biti-led Constitution Defenders Forum (CDF).
The recently created entity has been leading various activist programs to block the passage of the Bill.
However, it has faced incessant attacks from the state apparatus.
Last week, armed police raided the offices of the CDF and seized several items, including T-shirts and flyers, the organisation said.
Its director of programmes for Harare, Paul Gorekore, was also arrested hours earlier after police raided his home in Mbare.
“We strongly condemn the arrest and detention of our Harare federation director of programmes following an unlawful entry and search at his house by the ZRP.
“We view this as an attempt to intimidate citizens and activists exercising their constitutional rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful civic participation.”
CDF said the police must act strictly in accordance with the law, respect due process, and immediately release him without charge.
“Advocating against the Constitutional Amendment Bill (No. 3) is not a crime. We remain vigilant and resolute in defending constitutionalism and the rights of all citizens,” it said.
Thus, while the Bill has faced uncharacteristically vocal opposition from the public and some independent war veterans, it remains that there is little chance of anything stopping its passage into law.
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