Harare – ZANU PF Member of Parliament for Mashonaland West Province, Tafanana Paradza, has thrown his weight behind the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill (CAB3), dismissing opposition to the Bill while taking a swipe at what is stopping the CAB3 from sailing through parliament.

Using the vernacular language, Paradza queried the delay in passing the bill, using a term similar to the former CCC leader Nelson Chamisa’s surname triggering laughter and disgruntlement among legislators from both sides.

“Chamisa chii?” he said, which might be translated to also mean who is Chamisa.

He repeated the phrase in what appeared to mock those questioning the Bill, repeating the Shona phrase “Chamisa Chii?”, suggesting that opponents were making baseless arguments.

Paradza, speaking on behalf of youths from Mashonaland West Province, declared that the province, which he described as “the origin of Mbuya Nehanda,” is in total support of the Constitutional Amendment Bill.

“Citizens from Mashonaland Central Province, youths including women who are under the leadership of Hon. T. Gezi, including the whole of Mashonaland West Province, which is being led by Hon. Kazembe Kazembe, we are all in total support of this Constitutional Amendment (No. 3) Bill,” Paradza said.

He highlighted developments under the Second Republic, including the manufacturing of cell phones, laptops, and tablets at Bindura University, which he said had created employment for youths.

“The biggest problem which we have now is that we belittle ourselves. This was seen by the citizens from Mashonaland Central Province who discovered that they are now manufacturing their own cell phones and laptops, meaning that they have created enough employment for the youths,” he stated.

“In Mashonaland Central Province where I come from, all the youths are very happy. They want economic development to go forward beyond 2030. So, they are simply saying it should proceed from 2030 and beyond,” he declared.

He argued that the proposed extension of the electoral cycle from five to seven years would save time and resources, and praised the Second Republic’s achievements in tourism and Zimbabwe’s position on the UN Security Council as evidence of good governance.

“Even children from this country are managing to buy helicopters just like what I was saying. At Bindura, people are manufacturing cellphones. Others are simply saying they do not want to buy local products. So, let us have trust in each other and support each other,” Paradza concluded.