Opposition MPs say university exams kept them from CAB3 vote

Three opposition Members of Parliament have explained that their absence during Thursday’s crucial vote on Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3) was due to final university examinations, dismissing claims that they boycotted or deliberately abstained from the process.


The legislators — Jabulani Hadebe, Joseph Bonda and Fanuel Cumanzala — said they were sitting for final‑year examinations at Lupane State University when Parliament convened to vote on the contentious amendments.

Speaking to Change Radio journalist Wezhira Munya, the MPs said their academic schedules unfortunately clashed with parliamentary business.

Hon. Hadebe, who is reportedly pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Development Studies, urged the public to verify the official attendance register and voting roll.

“Honourable Joseph Bonda, Honourable Fanuel Cumanzala and I were absent solely due to our final university exams,” Hadebe said. “I urge the public to cross‑check the official attendance register and verify the voting roll to confirm our absence was not a dereliction of duty.”

The MPs also used the opportunity to publicly distance themselves from CAB3.

“I do not subscribe to Constitution Amendment Bill No. 3 in its entirety,” Hadebe said.

Bonda echoed the same position, saying he regretted missing the opportunity to formally vote against the Bill.

“For the record, I wish to make it abundantly clear that I do not support Constitution Amendment Bill No. 3,” Bonda said.

Cumanzala also expressed opposition to the amendments, saying he had no option but to prioritise examinations required for the completion of his degree.

“I am anti‑Constitution Amendment Bill No. 3. Unfortunately, I had no choice but to prioritise my final examinations,” he said.

Reports indicate that a total of 12 opposition MPs were absent from Thursday’s sitting, including Happymore Chidziva and Takudzwa Ngadziore.

During the vote, 42 opposition MPs reportedly voted against CAB3, while 35 MPs aligned with Sengezo Tshabangu are said to have supported the Bill alongside ruling party legislators.

The developments have intensified debate within opposition ranks, with political observers saying the outcome reflects widening divisions and weakening internal coordination over the handling of the controversial constitutional amendments, which continue to dominate national political discourse through platforms such as Zimbabwe parliamentary debates.