By Correspondent
The Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) has renewed its call for a national referendum on the recently enacted Constitution of Zimbabwe (Amendment) Act (No. 3), 2026 (CAA3).
ZCC argues that amendments affecting presidential and parliamentary terms and the manner in which the President is chosen should have been subjected to a national referendum.
This they say is in accordance with the letter and spirit of the Constitution, particularly Section 328.
In a pastoral letter released on Monday 27 July 2026, ZCC said the signing of CAA3 into law by President Emmerson Mnangagwa on 7 July had failed to bring closure to the controversy surrounding the constitutional amendments.
“We observe that the signing of CAA3 into law on 7 July 2026 has not brought the contestation of the same into finality.
“Instead, CAA3 has deepened national polarisation and generated serious constitutional, political, and moral contestation,” the ZCC said.
The council noted that several court applications challenging the validity of the Act had already been filed.
Meanwhile other citizens had expressed intentions to exercise their constitutional right to demonstrate.
Constitutional Crossroads
Describing Zimbabwe as being at “a constitutional crossroads”, ZCC urged political leaders to avoid treating the Constitution as a partisan political contest.
“We believe that constitutional questions of such magnitude should not be treated as contests in which one political side must triumph over another because the National Constitution is a sacred covenant.
“All issues of contestation concern the social covenant by which all Zimbabweans agree to live together,” ZCC added.
The church body maintained that its position throughout the Constitution Amendment Bill No. 3 process had not changed.
It insists that amendments affecting presidential and parliamentary terms, presidential succession and constitutional safeguards on term limits should have been subjected to a national referendum.
“Our position, therefore, remains unchanged.
“The people of Zimbabwe should be given the opportunity to directly express their will through a free, fair, transparent, and credible national referendum,” the ZCC said.
It argued that such constitutional changes required broad public consultation.
These should be undertaken by an independent body rather than institutions that stand to benefit from the amendments.
“In pursuit for a common good that will silence all contestations, we respectfully call upon the Government of Zimbabwe to choose a path of listening in order to maintain constitutional fidelity and national cohesion,” the council said.
“It is not too late to pursue an inclusive constitutional and lawful process that gives the people the voice.
“A referendum would not be an act of weakness.
“It would be an expression of confidence in the people, a safeguard of legitimacy and a means of reducing the division now threatening our common life.
Respecting the Rule of Law
The ZCC also addressed the ongoing legal challenges before the courts, calling for judicial independence and respect for the rule of law.
“Without prejudging their merits, we call upon all parties to respect these judicial processes and urge the courts to discharge their constitutional mandate independently, impartially, and without fear, favour or interference,” the statement said.
It warned against intimidation of litigants, lawyers and judicial officers involved in the constitutional cases.
“Court processes must be respected, and no person or institution should threaten, intimidate or vilify litigants, lawyers, judicial officers or witnesses for lawfully participating in these proceedings.”
Call for Peaceful Civic Action
On planned demonstrations against CAA3, ZCC affirmed citizens’ constitutional rights to assemble and protest peacefully.
It has however urged both protesters and security services to exercise restraint.
“We affirm the constitutional rights of citizens to petition, assemble, demonstrate, and express their views peacefully as provided in the Constitution.
“We appeal to all who choose to protest against CAA3 to do so peacefully, responsibly, and within the law.”
——————————————————————————————————
Love what we do?
We’re dedicated to opening up democracy, one article, video and story at a time. If you find our reporting helpful, you can support the Magamba Network team by buying us a coffee. It’s quick, easy, and makes a real difference!
————————————————————————————————————
