Fresh headache for Mudenda

A Zimbabwean advocacy group has launched a legal challenge against the Parliament of Zimbabwe, arguing that public consultations on a proposed constitutional amendment were conducted in a manner that was rushed, restrictive, and allegedly marked by intimidation.

The Constitutional Defenders Forum (CDF), represented by human rights lawyers Tinashe Chinopfukutwa and Kelvin Kabaya of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, has formally petitioned Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda, demanding the extension of consultation processes on Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3).

The group argues that the four-day consultation period - from March 30 to April 2 - was "woefully inadequate" for a constitutional reform process of such magnitude, effectively denying many citizens a meaningful opportunity to participate.

In its submission, the CDF warned that the proposed amendments would introduce "far-reaching and drastic changes" to the country's constitutional order, requiring broader and more inclusive public engagement.

"The four-day period is inadequate for all Zimbabweans to have been afforded a reasonable opportunity to articulate and express their views," the legal team argued.

The group further contends that Parliament could have utilised a constitutionally permissible 90-day consultation window, which they say would only lapse in May 2026, but instead compressed hearings into a short timeframe.

Beyond timing concerns, the CDF also raised issues regarding the structure and logistics of the outreach programme, arguing that uneven distribution of meetings across provinces effectively silenced many communities.

The petition notes that in Masvingo province, for example, only seven hearings were held across 26 constituencies, a disparity the group says undermined equal participation.

The complaint also alleges that several venues were overcrowded, preventing members of the public from entering or contributing meaningfully to discussions.

More seriously, the CDF claims that some hearings were marred by violence, intimidation, and political interference, which created what it described as a "chilling effect" on participation.

Incidents cited include an alleged assault on human rights lawyer Douglas Coltart in Harare and reported attacks on students in Bulawayo, including Keegan Mathe, who was allegedly abducted following an assault.

The group also alleges that some sessions were "choreographed" to suppress dissenting voices, claiming that prominent critics and legal experts were blocked from speaking in certain venues.

In Gweru, tensions reportedly escalated when opposition politician Amos Chibaya was heckled and threatened during attempts to raise objections to provisions relating to traditional leadership and politics.

The CDF is now calling on Speaker Mudenda to reconvene the consultation process under stricter safeguards, including improved security measures and a revised framework to ensure equal participation for all citizens regardless of political affiliation.

The legal challenge adds to mounting scrutiny over the constitutional amendment process, which continues to draw political and legal debate across the country.