Bajila apologises for missing crucial CAB 3 vote

Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) legislator for Emakhandeni-Luveve, Collins Bajila, has issued an open letter to his constituents explaining how he missed last week's decisive vote on the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Bill (No. 3), which passed Parliament with the support of a two-thirds majority.

Bajila was initially listed among MPs who voted in favour of the controversial Bill before the official Hansard was corrected to remove his name from those who supported the amendments.

The Constitutional Amendment Bill (No. 3), commonly known as CAB 3, sailed through the National Assembly after securing 216 votes against 42, comfortably exceeding the 187 votes required to amend the Constitution. Twenty-two MPs did not vote.

In his letter, Bajila acknowledged the widespread criticism directed at him following his absence from the vote, saying the public reaction reflected the high expectations that voters have placed in him.

"I have listened carefully to the strong public reaction to my absence during the vote on Constitutional Amendment Bill (No. 3). While records indicate that 22 MPs didn't vote, there's a loud and clear nationwide disappointment that I am indeed part of this number," he wrote.

The opposition MP said he remained bound by the outcome of constituency consultations conducted on May 23 and 24, during which nearly 80 percent of participants from Emakhandeni-Luveve opposed the provisions contained in the Bill.

"I intended to vote standing firmly with the majority view of fellow constituents. Had I intended not to vote, I would have simply not attended Parliament," he said.

Bajila explained that on June 18, while participating in parliamentary proceedings, he received an urgent telephone call relating to the search for his nephew, Shaun, who has reportedly been missing for more than two months.

He said the call came amid an ongoing family crisis following the recent burial of another relative who had previously gone missing.

"Given that as a family we recently buried one of our own who initially went missing, this constitutes a painful and ongoing family crisis. I stepped out to handle the call. It lasted long," he said.

According to Bajila, he was unable to return to the chamber before the vote because parliamentary rules prevented him from re-entering once the Speaker had divided the House and the doors were closed.

"Had I been aware that when the Speaker divides the House, once doors are closed no-one may be allowed inside, I would have managed the situation in a way that ensured I remained in the House," he said.

The MP accepted full responsibility for missing the vote and apologised to both his constituents and Zimbabweans who expected him to oppose the Bill.

"I sincerely apologise to the people of Emakhandeni-Luveve and to all Zimbabweans who expected me to be there and to vote against this amendment. Your anger is legitimate," he wrote.

Bajila said his absence had created the impression that he was avoiding taking a position on the Bill, insisting that he remained firmly opposed to the constitutional amendments.

"My absence created the impression of fence-sitting, and that is something I deeply regret. My position has not changed and will not change: I remain opposed," he said.

Although he acknowledged that a single vote would not have altered the final outcome, Bajila said every voice mattered in defending democratic principles.

"One vote would not have altered the outcome, but every voice that stands with the people matters. I let you down by not being there to add mine," he said.

The Bill now proceeds to the Senate after clearing the National Assembly, where it received crucial support from opposition legislators aligned to the faction led by CCC self-styled secretary-general Sengezo Tshabangu, helping the ruling party secure the numbers needed for constitutional change.