By Daniel Chigundu
Presidential hopeful and Freezim Congress leader Joseph Makamba Busha has warned Zimbabweans against supporting the proposed Constitutional Amendment No.3 Bill, arguing that its not about the development of Zimbabwe but preserving Zanu PF.
Cabinet recently approved the principles of Bill and one of the objectives contained says the Bill is to “enhance political stability and policy continuity to allow development programs to be implemented to completion…”
However, in his reaction to the proposed amendments, Busha said any amendments without a referendum are illegitimate and must be rejected.
He urged Zimbabweans to join hands and fight it.
Nefarious ZANU PF Agenda
“Fellow Zimbabweans, on behalf of Freezim Congress and mostly Zimbabweans, I Joseph Makamba Busha president of FreezimCongress, address you in response to the proposed unconstitutional amendment to the Zimbabwe Constitution to allow President (Emmerson) Mnangagwa to remain in office until 2030 without the mandate and blessings of the majority.
“Zanu PF and the President have never respected the people of Zimbabwe and the Constitution.
“Firstly there was never, and today there is no, and tomorrow there will never be vision 2030 for Zimbabwe.
“This is a Zanu PF agenda.
“One to preserve Zanu PF itself, two to preserve what has been looted and lastly to destroy what is left of the country making everyone a beggar.
“No amendments outside a referendum are legitimate.
“Zimbabweans can’t be misled like in 2017 (military assisted coup).
Busha said elections must be held in 2028.
“Let’s join and work together against the rise of dictatorship and extremism in our world,” he said.
The amendments to the Constitution were inspired by resolutions from Zanu PF’s 2024 and 2025 National People’s Conference resolutions.
The positions advanced seek for President Mnangagwa to remain in office until 2030.
The justification proffered is that this will allow him to complete government projects that started under his tenure.
The Bill Overreaches Stated Goals
However, the principles to the proposed Bill are doing more than just allowing Mnangagwa to remain in office until 2030.
They also seek to change the manner in which a President is elected in Zimbabwe.
According to the Bill, Parliament will get a new mandate of electing a President on behalf of the citizens.
The Bill is also unbundling the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC).
This will be done by creating a Delimitation Commission and transferring voter registration to the Registrar-Generals’ Office
Additionally, the Bill seeks to collapse the Zimbabwe Gender Commission and transfer its responsibilities to the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission.
According to political commentators, Mnangagwa is bringing these changes to try and shield his choice of successor from direct elections due to factionalism in the ruling party.
There are fears that there might be a repeat of “bhora musango” by some disgruntled cadres.
