Only the Bible cannot be amended, says Chadzamira

Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Ezra Chadzamira, has emphatically defended Constitutional Amendment Number 3, declaring that a country's constitution, unlike the Holy Bible, can be amended to suit changing times.

Speaking at the Zanu-PF Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) meeting at Masvingo Poly on Friday, Chadzamira said the amendment process had undergone rigorous procedures and was supported by the province.

"As Masvingo province, we support this amendment and we will never backtrack. The amendment of this constitution should be supported because it will bring a number of positive developments for our country," Chadzamira said.

He added, "There is no constitution which cannot be altered, only the Holy Bible can survive amendment but we have seen a new testament in it. As such, a country's constitution can be amended in line with changing trends."

Zanu-PF Politburo member Lovemore Matuke echoed Chadzamira, insisting the constitution is not sacred and that no referendum will be held to endorse President Mnangagwa's proposed term extension.

"We are the ones who craft a constitution. Constitutions are not written on a stone which cannot be altered. Remember the current constitution was made during the Government of National Unity. Some points were agreed upon without careful consideration. Elections are costly, and resources are wasted during campaigns. With this amendment, our country is poised for economic growth," Matuke said.

Zanu-PF Masvingo Provincial Chairperson Rabson Mavhenyengwa said the province fully supports the amendment and urged party supporters to back the development.

"As the Zanu-PF Masvingo Provincial Chair, I want to remind party supporters at grassroots level to support Constitution Amendment Number 3. We will cascade this message to all our supporters so that they know the advantages of this development," he said.

The amendment, which seeks to extend President Mnangagwa's term beyond 2028, is aligned with Section 6 of the Zanu-PF party constitution, requiring implementation of all conference resolutions. The proposal went through all provincial structures before being presented at PCC meetings and the Annual National People's Conference.