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Zanu PF accused of sponsoring or coercing signatures for pre‑written petitions on Amendment Bill No. 3
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Political analyst Kennedy Kaitano has alleged that Zanu PF is sponsoring or coercing citizens to sign pre‑written petitions intended to influence public submissions on the recently gazetted Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3).
Kaitano said some church members — whose leaders have reportedly received vehicles and financial support from government in recent years — joined cross‑border traders in submitting signatures to Parliament in support of extending the terms of elected officials to seven years.
He said while citizens have the democratic right to support or oppose the Bill, reports of coercion and forgery were deeply concerning.
“Disturbing reports have been made that Zanu PF is forcing people to sign these pre‑written letters where they provide their names and national identification numbers. It has also been reported that some signatures are forged. Organisers collect ID details and then get people to scribble signatures, knowing very well that no one will verify them,” Kaitano claimed.
He said the alleged actions appear designed to create the impression that the majority of Zimbabweans support the proposed amendments.
Kaitano also questioned claims that more than four million signatures would be submitted, saying the figure was unrealistic given that Zanu PF did not secure three million votes in the 2023 election and that some of its own influencers have publicly criticised the Bill.
He emphasised that Parliament must assess submissions based on substance, not volume.
“For example, if four million people argue that elections should be held every seven years to reduce toxicity, that counts as one point. Similarly, if four million people say the term of office should remain five years like other SADC countries, that is also one point. Constitutionality must also be considered,” he said.
Kaitano added that any amendment extending the term of office for elected officials constitutes a “term‑limit provision” under Section 328 of the Constitution, which requires a referendum.
He cited Section 328(7), which states that an amendment extending the length of time a person may hold public office cannot apply to anyone who has previously held that office. He also noted that Section 328(8) prohibits amending subsections (6) and (7) in the same Constitutional Bill or referendum.
Kaitano urged citizens to make their submissions individually or collectively and to attend public hearings where possible. However, he criticised Parliament for providing only 64 hearing centres nationwide.
“This gives no opportunity to millions of Zimbabweans who cannot travel over 100 kilometres to the nearest venue. Many individuals and groups have complained about being denied the opportunity to be heard,” he said.
He called on Parliament to reschedule the hearings and increase the number of centres to ensure broad participation.
Kaitano said some church members — whose leaders have reportedly received vehicles and financial support from government in recent years — joined cross‑border traders in submitting signatures to Parliament in support of extending the terms of elected officials to seven years.
He said while citizens have the democratic right to support or oppose the Bill, reports of coercion and forgery were deeply concerning.
“Disturbing reports have been made that Zanu PF is forcing people to sign these pre‑written letters where they provide their names and national identification numbers. It has also been reported that some signatures are forged. Organisers collect ID details and then get people to scribble signatures, knowing very well that no one will verify them,” Kaitano claimed.
He said the alleged actions appear designed to create the impression that the majority of Zimbabweans support the proposed amendments.
Kaitano also questioned claims that more than four million signatures would be submitted, saying the figure was unrealistic given that Zanu PF did not secure three million votes in the 2023 election and that some of its own influencers have publicly criticised the Bill.
“For example, if four million people argue that elections should be held every seven years to reduce toxicity, that counts as one point. Similarly, if four million people say the term of office should remain five years like other SADC countries, that is also one point. Constitutionality must also be considered,” he said.
Kaitano added that any amendment extending the term of office for elected officials constitutes a “term‑limit provision” under Section 328 of the Constitution, which requires a referendum.
He cited Section 328(7), which states that an amendment extending the length of time a person may hold public office cannot apply to anyone who has previously held that office. He also noted that Section 328(8) prohibits amending subsections (6) and (7) in the same Constitutional Bill or referendum.
Kaitano urged citizens to make their submissions individually or collectively and to attend public hearings where possible. However, he criticised Parliament for providing only 64 hearing centres nationwide.
“This gives no opportunity to millions of Zimbabweans who cannot travel over 100 kilometres to the nearest venue. Many individuals and groups have complained about being denied the opportunity to be heard,” he said.
He called on Parliament to reschedule the hearings and increase the number of centres to ensure broad participation.
Source - Byo24news
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