Tuesday 31 March 2026
Zim GBC News | Political Correspondent
BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe – Public hearings on Zimbabwe’s Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 descended into chaos and controversy on Monday, with opposition figures accusing the government of fraud and coercion, while journalists faced harassment at a major venue in Bulawayo.
The proposed legislation, which seeks to extend elected terms from five to seven years, replace direct presidential elections with a parliamentary vote, expand the Senate through presidential appointments, and abolish the electoral commission, drew large crowds. However, critics allege the turnout was artificially bolstered by supporters transported from as far as Gokwe, over 300 kilometers away.
Government officials have defended the proposed changes as measures intended to improve stability and efficiency while maintaining existing term limits.
Opposition politician Tendai Biti was scathing in his assessment of the process, describing it as a “fraudulent scam” aimed at manufacturing consent.
“Parliament’s public consultation process that commenced today is a big fraudulent scam that reflects the desperation & immorality of the rag tag team that is pushing Agenda 2030,” Biti said in a statement. He alleged that through “capture, coercion & brute force the regime intends to manufacture a false consensus.”
At the Bulawayo City Hall hearing, former Cabinet minister David Coltart was among those who attempted to voice dissent.
Witnesses said Coltart repeatedly raised his hand and stood in an attempt to speak but was not recognized by officials presiding over the session. He later condemned the process, describing it as “farcical” and alleging it was designed to consolidate “too much power” for President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Biti echoed these concerns, claiming that participation was tightly controlled and dissenting voices suppressed. He alleged that at Bulawayo City Hall, only 36 people were allowed to speak before the meeting was abruptly ended, with most submissions favoring the bill. In the Nketa area of the city, he said tensions escalated when a speaker opposing the bill was assaulted, and several others were injured as proceedings broke down.
“The consultations… were nothing but a farcical grand heist,” Biti said. “Parliament has failed to fulfill its constitutional obligation of reasonable and adequate consultation.”
Meanwhile, outside City Hall, journalists faced intimidation. Zim GBC News senior reporter Innocent Sibonginkosi Ncube was targeted by unidentified men, believed to be from the Central Intelligence Organization (CIO). The men harassed him, confiscated expensive work camera equipment, and forcibly led him to a car parked away from the crowd. Hundreds of onlookers watched the scene without intervening or questioning the incident.
The composition of the crowd itself drew scrutiny. Multiple observers noted that many attendees could not freely communicate in the local SiNdebele language, fueling suspicions that they had been transported from outside Bulawayo to create the appearance of overwhelming support for the bill.
Biti also alleged that the start of the consultations coincided with the abduction of youth and student leaders by unidentified men in unmarked vehicles in Bulawayo and elsewhere. These claims could not be independently verified by the time of publication.
Despite his condemnation of the process, Biti vowed that opponents would continue to attend hearings to challenge the proceedings.
“The current process is a fraud & a sham… But we shall keep on embarrassing same by our attendance. History will judge them,” he said.
Authorities had not yet publicly responded to the allegations at the time of reporting.
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