Residents raise alarm over CAB3 venues

Residents across Masvingo province have raised serious concerns over the selection of venues for public consultations on the proposed Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill, 2026, alleging that the locations were deliberately chosen to discourage participation and suppress dissenting views.

In Zaka, where consultations are set for Rudhanda High School in Zaka South, local leaders and residents say the venue is not centrally located and could limit attendance from many parts of the district.

Zaka Ward 19 Councillor Albert Mazvanya said Rudhanda's location, near the border with Chiredzi district, disadvantages most residents and raises suspicions of political manipulation.

"Rudhanda is not central at all. This is a deliberate move by the ruling party to make sure they do not capture what people really want, hence moving the venue to a strategic place thereby disadvantaging the rest," said Mazvanya.

He further alleged that the proximity of the venue to the home of Zaka District Coordinating Committee chairperson Clemence Chiduwa, who is also Zaka South MP, could heighten tensions.

"I think there is going to be violence if anyone tries to speak differently or oppose the bill," he said.

A Zaka resident who requested anonymity echoed similar fears, saying the area's political environment discourages open debate.

"That area is known to have Zanu PF fanatics who can cause harm to anyone who tries to oppose the bill," the resident said.

Another resident, Peter Imbayarwo, said the venue would disadvantage many people who previously attended consultations in Jerera, which he described as more central and accessible.

"There is no advantage if we want Zaka representation... the venue disadvantages a number of people, and I think it's a deliberate ploy to make sure that ordinary people do not attend," he said.

He added that transport costs and distance would make it difficult for many residents to participate, warning that attendance would likely be limited to those who are bused in.

In Bikita, residents also expressed dissatisfaction, with consultations scheduled for Matsvange area in Bikita South, about 30 kilometres from Nyika Growth Point.

Brilliant Mukaro said the venue was inconvenient and appeared intended to exclude residents from more accessible and politically diverse areas.

"The venue was deliberately chosen to move away from people at the growth point who are perceived to be against the government," he said.

In Masvingo district, consultations will be held at Chidzikwe in Masvingo South, a location also criticised for being politically sensitive and difficult to access for many communities.

A resident said the area was not conducive for open participation.

"Chidzikwe is in Summerton area, known as a no-go area for the opposition," the resident said.

Masvingo Urban MP Martin Mureri, who sits on the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Justice, said he had raised concerns about the venue selection, describing Chidzikwe as non-central.

"I indicated that Chidzikwe was not central and they should look for another venue," said Mureri.

He added that many residents from surrounding areas would struggle to reach the venue using public transport, limiting participation.

Chiredzi Central MP Ropafadzo Makumire also criticised the consultation structure, saying district-level meetings may not be sufficient for such a significant constitutional process.

"This bill is important, so the consultations were supposed to be done at polling station level," he said.

However, Parliamentary Portfolio Committee chairperson Edison Zvobgo Junior defended the process, saying efforts had been made to broaden consultation coverage across districts.

"We organized to have one consultative meeting per administrative district... this is the most widely consulted bill in the history of the country," he said.

He added that the committee would review concerns raised by stakeholders.

The proposed constitutional amendment seeks to extend presidential and parliamentary terms from five to seven years, introduce a parliamentary system for electing the President, expand the Senate, restructure electoral bodies, and alter judicial appointment procedures, among other significant governance changes.

As consultations continue, concerns over accessibility, neutrality, and public participation remain central to the debate across Masvingo province.