Amendment No.3 Bill goes to the people
Zimpapers Reporters
THE four-day Constitutional Amendment No.3 Bill public hearings start today, with thousands of people across the country expected to air their views. Parliament announced recently that public hearings would run from March 30 to April 2. Zanu PF concluded its sensitisation meetings aimed at raising awareness about the benefits of the Bill over the weekend. Among many of its far-reaching and transformative proposals, the Bill seeks to align election cycles with the country’s developmental aspirations and economic trajectory. During the hearings, people will have the opportunity to submit written submissions through “special desks” designated for this purpose. The 90-day period for public hearings and consultations started on February 17 after the Amendment No.3 Bill was gazetted. A recent statement from the Parliament of Zimbabwe said public hearings must occur before the Bill could be debated in Parliament. “A Constitutional Bill may not be presented in the Senate or the National Assembly in terms of Section 131 unless the Speaker has given at least 90 days’ notice in the Gazette of the precise terms of the Bill,” the statement reads in part. “Immediately after the Speaker has given notice of a Constitutional Bill in terms of subsection (3), Parliament must invite members of the public to express their views on the proposed Bill in public meetings and through written submissions, and must convene meetings and provide facilities to enable the public to do so. “In compliance with the above and as part of enhancing participatory democracy, the Parliament will be conducting Public Hearings on the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment No. 3 Bill (H.B. 1, 2026) from 30 March 2026 to 02 April 2026.” Once hearings are completed, the relevant Parliamentary committees will compile reports before the Bill is formally introduced in the National Assembly for debate and consideration. ReadMore