They Are Dismantling The Constitution, Not Amending It
A coalition of Zimbabwean churches, labor unions, and civic organizations has formally denounced the proposed Constitutional Amendment Bill 3 (CAB3), with leaders stating it “dismantles the Constitution, not amends it.” The statement, issued by the Zimbabwe Alliance for Democracy and Economic Justice (ZADEJ), was confirmed by multiple sources, including a press release distributed to media outlets on October 25, 2023. The group, which includes the Zimbabwe Council of Churches and the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU), argues the bill threatens judicial independence and expands executive powers without parliamentary oversight.
ZADEJ’s executive director, Tendai Chikwana, cited a leaked government document outlining CAB3’s provisions, which would allow the president to appoint judges without legislative approval. “This is not reform—it is a power grab,” Chikwana said in a statement. The coalition has scheduled a nationwide rally in Harare on November 10 to demand a public referendum on the bill, a move the government has not yet addressed. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice did not respond to requests for comment by deadline.
The proposed amendments, first introduced in August 2023, have sparked debate over Zimbabwe’s constitutional framework. Legal experts, including University of Zimbabwe law professor Dr. Noma Moyo, have warned that CAB3 could erode checks on presidential authority. “The bill bypasses the judiciary’s role in interpreting the Constitution,” Moyo said in an interview with The Herald. “This is a direct challenge to the separation of powers.” The government has defended the bill as necessary to “streamline governance,” according to a statement from the Office of the President.
Religious leaders within the coalition have framed the opposition as a moral imperative. The Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) released a statement on October 27, citing biblical principles of justice and accountability. “We cannot remain silent while the foundations of our democracy are undermined,” said ZCC general secretary Rev. Emmanuel Mupfumira. The statement was echoed by the Zimbabwean Association of Women Lawyers, which called the bill a “blatant disregard for constitutional safeguards.”
Public sentiment remains divided. A September 2023 survey by the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) found 52% of respondents supported constitutional reforms, while 38% opposed them. However, the survey’s methodology and sample size have not been independently verified. The government has stated it will proceed with parliamentary debates on CAB3 in November, with a final vote expected by year’s end. Meanwhile, ZADEJ has pledged to escalate its campaign, including a planned sit-in at the National Assembly on November 5.