Tinotenda Hove – Manicaland Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Misheck Mugadza, has insisted that ZANU-PF is unfazed by calls for a referendum on the Constitutional Amendment (No. 3) Bill, maintaining that the ruling party would comfortably prevail if such a vote were held.

Addressing party structures and affiliates earlier this week, Mugadza echoed sentiments previously expressed by senior officials, arguing that the proposed constitutional changes do not legally require a referendum.
“Do you think ZANU PF fears a referendum? As ZANU-PF, we always win, and they cannot stop us. There is no issue here,” he said.

He further defended the proposed changes, dismissing concerns that they undermine the Constitution.

“We are not violating the Constitution, so there is no need for a referendum — it is just a postponement of the election,” Mugadza added.

The Constitutional Amendment (No. 3) Bill, 2026 has sparked debate across the country due to its far-reaching implications for governance.

Among its key provisions are proposals to lengthen the tenure of the President, Members of Parliament, and local authorities from five to seven years. It also seeks to replace the direct election of the President by citizens with a parliamentary selection process, while scrapping public interviews in the appointment of judges.