By Correspondent
The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) has raised concerns over the manner in which Parliament held public hearings on the Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 from the 30th of March to the 4th of April this year (2026).
ZHRC cited issues around compliance with human rights standards despite widespread public participation by citizens across the country.
In a statement, ZHRC Chairperson Jessie Majome said the Commission deployed teams across the country.
They assessed whether the process upheld constitutional principles.
“The Commission conducted this monitoring exercise to assess the extent to which the consultation process complied with constitutional principles and human rights standards.
“(This was) particularly regarding public participation, inclusivity, equality, access to information, freedom of expression and non-discrimination.
“The commission noted the harassment and intimidation of dissenting voices.
“Individuals and groups opposed to constitutional amendment No.3 were denied audience.
“The Commission observed instances where participants with divergent views to the proposed amendments were threatened, silenced, denied opportunities to contribute and in some instances physically attacked.
“There was a strong pattern of controlled participation across most provinces.
“Some entrances to venues were often controlled by youths, with vetting at entry points and supervised sign-in registers with restricted access.
“For example in Mashonaland West, men holding whips were involved in vetting participants in Mhondoro Ngezi,” Majome said.
ZANU PF’s Plans
The Zanu-PF led government is trying to change the country’s Constitution to allow President Emmerson Mnangagwa to extend his term up to 2030.
His current and last term is supposed to end in 2028.
The proposed changes emanate from Zanu PF’s 2024 and 2025 National People’s Conference resolutions.
Under the current Constitution, a President is supposed to serve a maximum of two terms.
The proposed amendment bill is also seeking to transfer the election of President to Parliament.
This will be a departure from the current system which involves a direct vote by the public.
The bill has sparked mixed reactions on whether the changes require a referendum or not.
Some have gone as far challenging the bill in the courts of law.
While public debate persists, Parliament has allegedly started collating views from the public hearings.
This is in preparation for a committee report that will be read in Parliament during the Second Reading Stage.
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