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Opposition to Zimbabwe's Constitutional Amendment Bill widens
2 hrs ago |
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Opposition to Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 continues to intensify in Zimbabwe, with the Platform for Concerned Citizens (PCC) and former members of the Zimbabwe People's Army (ZIPA) joining a growing list of critics calling for the proposed constitutional changes to be withdrawn ahead of parliamentary debate.
In a statement signed by PCC co-convener Dr Ibbo Mandaza, the groups said they were aligning themselves with concerns already raised by retired military officials, church organisations, constitutional advocates and sections of civil society who argue that the Bill fails to address Zimbabwe's broader governance and economic challenges.
Instead of proceeding with the amendments, the PCC and ZIPA veterans called for an inclusive national dialogue aimed at resolving what they described as a deepening political and socio-economic crisis.
The groups also questioned the credibility of the consultation process that preceded the Bill, alleging that public meetings were marred by disruptions, intimidation and manipulation designed to favour supporters of the proposed amendments.
They urged Parliament to reject the Bill outright and encouraged Zimbabweans to remain engaged in defending constitutional principles while pushing for broader national consensus on the country's political future.
The statement also highlighted the involvement of former members of the Zimbabwe People's Army (ZIPA), a short-lived but influential liberation movement formed in 1975 and 1976 during the liberation struggle.
ZIPA brought together young guerrilla commanders from both the Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army (ZANLA) and the Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA), in an attempt to unify the military wing of the liberation movement under a coordinated command structure.
The latest interventions add to mounting pressure on lawmakers as debates over Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 intensify, with critics warning of potential long-term implications for Zimbabwe's constitutional framework and governance system.
In a statement signed by PCC co-convener Dr Ibbo Mandaza, the groups said they were aligning themselves with concerns already raised by retired military officials, church organisations, constitutional advocates and sections of civil society who argue that the Bill fails to address Zimbabwe's broader governance and economic challenges.
Instead of proceeding with the amendments, the PCC and ZIPA veterans called for an inclusive national dialogue aimed at resolving what they described as a deepening political and socio-economic crisis.
The groups also questioned the credibility of the consultation process that preceded the Bill, alleging that public meetings were marred by disruptions, intimidation and manipulation designed to favour supporters of the proposed amendments.
The statement also highlighted the involvement of former members of the Zimbabwe People's Army (ZIPA), a short-lived but influential liberation movement formed in 1975 and 1976 during the liberation struggle.
ZIPA brought together young guerrilla commanders from both the Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army (ZANLA) and the Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA), in an attempt to unify the military wing of the liberation movement under a coordinated command structure.
The latest interventions add to mounting pressure on lawmakers as debates over Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 intensify, with critics warning of potential long-term implications for Zimbabwe's constitutional framework and governance system.
Source - online
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