Tinotenda Hove- Legislators from the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), Ellen Shiriyedenga and Miriam Mambipiri, have strongly opposed Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3, arguing that it poses a serious threat to Zimbabwe’s constitutional democracy.

The two lawmakers were among opposition MPs who on Tuesday blocked attempts by the government to fast-track the Bill through Parliament, insisting that every elected representative must be given an opportunity to contribute before debate could be closed.

Ziyambi Ziyambi entered the chamber at the start of proceedings seemingly prepared to conclude the second reading and move the Bill to the committee stage.

However, opposition legislators resisted, maintaining that all 210 constituency MPs, as well as representatives from all 10 provinces, had a right to debate the proposed amendments.

Shiriyedenga, a proportional representation MP for Harare Province, mounted a detailed critique of the Bill, questioning whether it strengthens or erodes democratic governance.

“The million-dollar question, therefore, is: does the Constitution Amendment (No. 3) Bill deepen constitutional democracy or weaken it?” she asked.

“In my respectful view, CAB3 should be rejected because it threatens the core values of constitutional democracy instead of protecting the people’s rights to choose their leaders and hold them accountable.”

She also raised concerns over judicial independence, particularly Clause 14, which seeks to remove public interviews for lower court judges. According to Shiriyedenga, the change would reduce transparency and weaken public trust in the judiciary.

Mambipiri echoed similar concerns, accusing the Executive of imposing constitutional changes without meaningful public consultation.

“The constitutional amendments were fathered by the executive and are simply being midwifed here in Mt Hampden, far away from the people, and for that they must be rejected,” she told Parliament.

She also dismissed the government’s justification for extending the presidential term from five to seven years, arguing that long-term infrastructure projects cannot be used to justify prolonged stays in office.

“If we were to allow the president who was there then to stay in power until that project ended, it simply means we would still be having the same president 25 years later,” she said, citing the delayed Harare–Bulawayo road dualisation project as an example.

Meanwhile, lawmakers from ZANU-PF vigorously defended the Bill. During the heated debate, ZANU-PF Chief Whip Pupurai Togarepi warned that the ruling party was prepared to remain in Parliament overnight if necessary to exhaust the speakers’ list.

Debate on the Bill stretched from mid-afternoon until after midnight, with proceedings eventually adjourned at 12:22 a.m. after Ziyambi cited prior commitments involving fellow ministers, including Kazembe Kazembe and July Moyo, who are expected to address technical issues related to the voters’ roll and delimitation.

Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 is expected to face a vote in the National Assembly before the end of the week.