Mnangagwa's spindoctor says CAB3 is a sovereign issue for Zimbabweans

Zimbabwe's Deputy Chief Secretary for Presidential Communications, George Charamba, has defended the ongoing debate around Constitutional Amendment No. 3, insisting the process is a sovereign matter that must be determined solely by Zimbabweans.

Speaking amid growing public scrutiny, Charamba dismissed what he described as widespread misinformation surrounding the proposed changes, maintaining that the exercise is a routine and legitimate part of democratic governance.

"There is lots of disinformation, some of it quite gratuitous by those who are opposed to the amendment. We are amending the Constitution, we are not changing or throwing away the current Constitution," he said.

He stressed that the amendment process is neither new nor unusual, noting that it follows two previous constitutional amendments.

"This is a mere amendment of the Constitution and the fact that it is amendment number three means there are two other amendments that precede it. So really there is nothing unusual about the exercise which is underway."

Charamba rejected the notion that constitutions are fixed, arguing that they are designed to evolve in line with national priorities and changing circumstances.

"Constitutions are not immutable. Constitutions are made by people and they are meant for the people… it is a document which changes as and when the governing milieu changes to ensure that it is always an expression of the aspirations of the people," he said.

He traced Zimbabwe's constitutional evolution from the colonial era through independence to the present, emphasising that amendments have historically reflected shifting political and social realities.

On the origins of Amendment No. 3, Charamba described it as emerging from grassroots discussions before gaining traction within political structures and eventually being adopted by Cabinet.

"It starts as an intention or a wish of the youth… it radiates… until we get to ten provinces… at which point that intention then coalesces… to become the intention of a political party," he said.

He explained that once Cabinet approves such a proposal, it becomes government policy and is then tabled before Parliament, where public consultations are conducted.

"Parliament has invited members of the public to air their views… whether for or against… and ultimately the decision… is consistent with the wishes of the majority of the Zimbabwean people," he said.

Charamba urged citizens to actively participate in the consultation process rather than criticising it from the sidelines.

"Go and make your ideas felt… whether for or against… and ultimately parliament will then have to glean through all those submissions… and that is democratic."

Addressing calls for a referendum, he maintained that legislative authority lies with Parliament under Zimbabwean law.

"You cannot place the referendum in apposition to parliament… it is parliament which is mandated to do so in terms of our law," he said.

On proposed changes to the electoral system, including how the President is chosen, Charamba noted that Zimbabwe has historically used different models and that current debates should be resolved through the ongoing consultation process.

"This same country which made the president's elective is now debating whether or not this system serves us well… let's wait for the consultation process… let the majority prevail," he said.

He reiterated that the proposed amendment targets specific provisions rather than replacing the entire Constitution.

"This is not the constitution which is being changed, it is an aspect of it which is being amended… we might go through the fourth one, fifth one… and that is very much consistent."

Charamba also underscored that constitutional reform remains a domestic issue.

"The issue to do with the constitution and all the amendments that are deemed necessary is a sovereign question for the Zimbabwean people," he said.