Catholic Bishops reject Constitution Amendment Bill

THE Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops' Conference (ZCBC) has submitted a sweeping rejection of the Constitution Amendment (No. 3) Bill, 2026, warning that the proposed changes threaten democratic safeguards, weaken institutional independence and undermine the will of the people.

In a submission filed before Parliament on Tuesday, the bishops urged legislators to reject multiple clauses contained in the proposed constitutional amendments.

The submission, signed by all seven Catholic bishops in Zimbabwe, including the Archbishops of Harare and Bulawayo, described the bill as a threat to "the moral and institutional foundations upon which national life rests."

"The Conference is deeply concerned that several provisions of CAB3 undermine foundational constitutional principles, weaken institutional independence, diminish direct democratic participation, and erode constitutional safeguards against the concentration and abuse of power," the bishops said.

The bishops strongly opposed Clause 2 of the bill, which seeks to abolish the direct election of the President by registered voters and replace it with a parliamentary vote conducted jointly by the Senate and National Assembly.

"To transfer the election of the head of state from citizens to parliament fundamentally alters the source and character of executive legitimacy," the conference said.

"Zimbabwe's liberation struggle was deeply rooted in the principle of 'one person, one vote' and the right of citizens to determine their political leadership directly."

The ZCBC dismissed Government's justification that the proposed change would reduce "electoral toxicity," arguing that such reasoning was not sufficient grounds to remove citizens' direct vote for President.

The bishops said if Parliament insists on proceeding with the proposal, it should first be subjected to a national referendum.

The church leaders also opposed Clauses 3, 7 and 8, which seek to extend presidential and parliamentary terms from five years to seven years and apply those changes to current office holders.

The bishops criticised the bill's attempt to override Section 328(7) of the Constitution, which prevents incumbents from benefiting from amendments to term limits without public approval through a referendum.

"Parliament cannot bypass entrenched constitutional protections merely by inserting the phrase 'notwithstanding section 328(7)' into ordinary amendment provisions," the conference said.

"To permit such an approach would weaken constitutional supremacy itself and render constitutional safeguards vulnerable to temporary parliamentary majorities."

The bishops warned that attempts to extend incumbency through constitutional amendments had historically contributed to democratic instability and political tension in several African countries.

Clause 14, which seeks to increase presidential discretion in judicial appointments while reducing the role of the Judicial Service Commission, was also rejected.

The bishops said the proposal could undermine public confidence in the independence of the judiciary.

They further objected to Clauses 9 to 12, which propose transferring key electoral functions, including voter registration and management of the voters' roll, away from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.

"The voters' roll is not merely an administrative register; it is the foundational instrument of democratic participation," the bishops said.

The church leaders also opposed Clause 19, which removes mandatory consultation with the Judicial Service Commission in the appointment of the Prosecutor General.

They warned the amendment could create perceptions of excessive executive influence over prosecutorial decisions.

Clauses 17 and 18, which abolish the Zimbabwe Gender Commission, and Clause 21, which abolishes the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission, were equally rejected.

The bishops said scrapping the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission was particularly worrying given Zimbabwe's unresolved historical grievances linked to political violence and past injustices.

The conference also condemned the conduct of public consultations on the bill, citing reports of intimidation, disruption of dissenting voices and unequal participation opportunities during hearings.

"Such irregularities undermine the integrity of the consultation process and weaken public confidence in constitutional reform," the bishops said.

The submission was signed by ZCBC president Bishop Raymond Mupandasekwa of Masvingo, vice-president Bishop Rudolf Nyandoro of Gweru, Archbishop R.C. Ndlovu of Harare, Archbishop Alex Thomas of Bulawayo, Bishop Paul Horan of Mutare, Bishop Raphael Ncube of Hwange and Bishop Eusebius Nyathi of Gokwe.

The ZCBC joins a growing list of organisations opposing the bill, including the Law Society of Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission and the Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations.

Meanwhile, a Constitutional Court application filed by Prince Dubeko Sibanda seeking to stop Parliament from proceeding with the bill remains pending.

Parliament is expected to vote on the proposed amendments later this month.