Harare – Kwekwe Central Member of Parliament, Judith Tobaïwa, has firmly opposed the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill (CAB3), delivering a no-nonsense message on behalf of his constituents while highlighting the devastating impact of silicosis in the constituency.

Tobaïwa, speaking during the debate, made it clear that the people of Kwekwe Central have more pressing concerns than constitutional changes, including the scourge of “shuramatongo” and the deadly lung disease silicosis that has ravaged the community.

“The people of Kwekwe Central are expecting the Bill to eradicate the issues of shuramatongo which is affecting them. They are expecting the Government to solve that problem. Also, the people of Kwekwe Central are expecting the Bill to help the families suffering from the trauma of the disease called silicosis, yapedza vana vemu Kwekwe Central,” Tobaïwa declared.

The MP took a swipe at the proposed changes, arguing that Zimbabwe should not return to a system where a “few individuals hold power and abuse it without seeking a fresh mandate from citizens.”

“As young people in Zimbabwe, we stand guided by the Constitution because democracy is built on regular elections and people’s right to choose their leaders. We do not want to return to the system where a few individuals hold power and abuse it without seeking a fresh mandate from citizens,” she said.

Tobaïwa made a pointed reference to Zimbabwe’s colonial past, warning against returning to “the practices associated with the colonial Smith error” – a deliberate play on the name of former Rhodesian leader Ian Smith.

“Our future lies in democracy and accountability; the voice of every Zimbabwean is not going back to the practices associated with the colonial Smith error,” she stated.

The Kwekwe Central MP concluded with a stark message to the government, making it clear that regardless of the Bill’s passage, citizens would not accept the changes.

“While the Bill may pass, I believe that the people of Zimbabwe will not accept it. Regardless of its passage, citizens will continue to focus on the issues that directly affect them, particularly those impacting the youths of Zimbabwe,” Tobaïwa said.

“The people of Kwekwe Central strongly oppose the Constitutional Amendment (No.3) Bill,” she submitted