Tensions Rise Over Constitution Amendment Bill No. 3 Ahead of Senate Vote

Harare, Zimbabwe – Significant political tensions have emerged between the ruling Zanu PF party and the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) faction led by Sengezo Tshabangu, ahead of a critical Senate vote on the Constitution Amendment No. 3 Bill (CAB 3). Reports indicate that negotiations aimed at securing Tshabangu’s continued support for the Bill have reached an impasse.

CAB 3 was introduced in the Senate yesterday for its first and second readings. The Bill previously passed through the National Assembly last week, largely due to the backing of 34 legislators aligned with Tshabangu, which helped Zanu PF achieve the necessary two-thirds majority.

The proposed legislation seeks to extend the terms of office for senior judges and defer the implementation of provisions related to elected local authority mayors and running mates for presidential candidates.

Sources close to the ongoing discussions suggest that Tshabangu’s camp is contemplating a “nuclear option” if their demands are not met, a move that could complicate Zanu PF’s efforts to secure Senate approval for the Bill.

In the Senate, Zanu PF currently holds 33 seats, while the opposition controls 26 elected seats. The Upper House also includes 18 traditional chiefs and two senators representing persons with disabilities. For CAB 3 to pass, a total of 54 votes are required.

NewsDay reports indicate that Zanu PF Secretary-General Jacob Mudenda, alongside other senior party officials, has been leading the negotiations with Tshabangu’s faction. When contacted for comment, Mudenda declined to discuss the matter, stating, “I do not comment on such things.”

Nqobizitha Mlilo, spokesperson for Tshabangu’s camp, confirmed that discussions are ongoing but warned of growing impatience within their ranks. “We have met, are meeting and continue to engage. We do not want to be put in a position where we activate the nuclear option,” Mlilo stated. He emphasized that their requests are
politically reasonable and that they expect their counterparts to act in the national interest, cautioning against being taken for granted. “The nuclear option remains available,” he added.

Mlilo further elaborated, “We are engaged in substantive dialogue, but dialogue cannot be endless and repetitive. Our demands are reasonable, patriotic, legally sound and in the national interest. If Zanu PF chooses to stall, we are fully prepared to deploy our definitive political leverage.”

Sources close to the negotiations suggest that Tshabangu’s demands include significant influence over key government ministries, specifically Education, Public Service, Health, and Foreign Affairs. However, Mlilo countered this by insisting that their focus is on governance reforms rather than ministerial positions.

“We want a government of national consensus anchored by a National Governance Covenant,” Mlilo asserted. He outlined six primary priorities for this covenant: free quality education; free quality healthcare; social grants for the elderly, vulnerable women, and children; improved working conditions for public servants through a living wage and adequate tools of trade; a pan-African, multi-vector foreign policy; and the protection of citizens’ civil and political rights as guaranteed by the Constitution.

Mlilo concluded by stating, “These are our primary demands. If they are not met, we will activate the nuclear option.”