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Village heads back Constitutional Amendment Bill
2 hrs ago |
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The Zimbabwe Village Heads Association (ZIVHA) has formally declared its support for the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill, 2026, describing the proposed changes as critical for institutional stability, economic development and the country's Vision 2030 agenda.
In a statement written by former Norton legislator Temba Mliswa, the association said it had submitted a 28-page position paper to the Clerk of Parliament endorsing all proposed amendments under the Constitutional Amendment Bill, commonly referred to as CAB3.
ZIVHA said its support was grounded in the experiences of village heads who serve as custodians of customary governance and dispute resolution in rural communities across Zimbabwe.
"This is not a gesture of political convenience. It is a statement of purpose from the men and women who sit at the foundation of Zimbabwean society," the statement read.
The association linked its position to Zimbabwe's liberation history, invoking the spirit of liberation icon Mbuya Nehanda and the sacrifices made during the First and Second Chimurenga struggles.
"Mbuya Nehanda did not stand before the colonial scaffold uncertain of her cause," the statement said.
"CAB3 is the continuation of that unfinished work."
According to the submission, the proposed constitutional amendments are intended to strengthen governance systems, improve institutional continuity and reduce instability associated with disputed leadership transitions.
ZIVHA argued that weak institutions often have the greatest impact on rural communities, where disruptions linked to political uncertainty can affect livelihoods, education and local markets.
"The Village Heads of Zimbabwe have seen, in their own communities, what institutional weakness costs," the association said.
"When leadership transitions are contested, it is the rural family that bears the cost first."
The association said it had carefully studied each proposed amendment in the Bill and concluded that the reforms were necessary to build durable institutions capable of supporting long-term national development.
CAB3 has emerged as one of the most closely watched constitutional reform proposals in Zimbabwe, with supporters arguing that it will improve governance efficiency and policy continuity, while critics have raised concerns over constitutional changes affecting political processes and executive authority.
In a statement written by former Norton legislator Temba Mliswa, the association said it had submitted a 28-page position paper to the Clerk of Parliament endorsing all proposed amendments under the Constitutional Amendment Bill, commonly referred to as CAB3.
ZIVHA said its support was grounded in the experiences of village heads who serve as custodians of customary governance and dispute resolution in rural communities across Zimbabwe.
"This is not a gesture of political convenience. It is a statement of purpose from the men and women who sit at the foundation of Zimbabwean society," the statement read.
The association linked its position to Zimbabwe's liberation history, invoking the spirit of liberation icon Mbuya Nehanda and the sacrifices made during the First and Second Chimurenga struggles.
"Mbuya Nehanda did not stand before the colonial scaffold uncertain of her cause," the statement said.
"CAB3 is the continuation of that unfinished work."
According to the submission, the proposed constitutional amendments are intended to strengthen governance systems, improve institutional continuity and reduce instability associated with disputed leadership transitions.
ZIVHA argued that weak institutions often have the greatest impact on rural communities, where disruptions linked to political uncertainty can affect livelihoods, education and local markets.
"The Village Heads of Zimbabwe have seen, in their own communities, what institutional weakness costs," the association said.
"When leadership transitions are contested, it is the rural family that bears the cost first."
The association said it had carefully studied each proposed amendment in the Bill and concluded that the reforms were necessary to build durable institutions capable of supporting long-term national development.
CAB3 has emerged as one of the most closely watched constitutional reform proposals in Zimbabwe, with supporters arguing that it will improve governance efficiency and policy continuity, while critics have raised concerns over constitutional changes affecting political processes and executive authority.
Source - Byo24News
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