Zimbabwe Senate passes CAB3 with overwhelming majority

The Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3) has cleared its final parliamentary hurdle after being passed by the Senate on Wednesday, paving the way for it to be sent to President Emmerson Mnangagwa for assent.

The bill secured overwhelming support in the upper house, with 75 senators voting in favour of the proposed constitutional changes. Only four senators voted against the legislation.

The outcome means CAB3 has now been approved by both the National Assembly and the Senate, completing the parliamentary process required for constitutional amendments.

The voting pattern in the Senate suggests that some opposition legislators backed the bill, as the ruling Zanu PF did not have sufficient numbers on its own to account for all 75 votes cast in support of the legislation.

The passage of the bill follows heated debate and controversy surrounding its provisions, with critics arguing that the amendments could have significant implications for Zimbabwe's constitutional framework and governance system.

Supporters of the bill, however, maintain that the amendments are necessary to improve the functioning of government institutions and address administrative challenges.

With Parliament having completed its consideration of the legislation, the bill will now be forwarded to President Mnangagwa for assent before it can become law.

The approval marks a major victory for the ruling party, which had mobilised support for the constitutional changes amid strong opposition from some legislators, constitutional experts and civil society organisations.

Attention will now shift to the President's Office, where the final step in the legislative process will determine when the amendments formally take effect.

More to follow...