War Veterans Petition Parliament Over Controversial Constitutional Amendment

By Post Reporter

The growing debate surrounding the proposed Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 has once again placed Zimbabwe’s Parliament under intense public scrutiny, with citizens, political actors and liberation war veterans questioning whether the legislative body will uphold its constitutional duty to represent the people and safeguard the country’s supreme law.

At the centre of the controversy are fears that the proposed amendment could alter key constitutional provisions in a manner that may ultimately extend the tenure of the country’s leadership beyond the current constitutional framework. Critics argue that Parliament now faces what many describe as an “acid test” of its democratic responsibility, to exercise oversight, protect the Constitution and ensure that any legal reforms reflect the will of the citizens.

The debate has grown louder in recent weeks amid accusations that the ruling party, ZANU‑PF, is pushing forward with efforts that could allow President Emmerson D. Mnangagwa to remain in office beyond the existing five-year constitutional term limit framework.

As tensions mount, liberation war veterans have once again stepped into the debate, formally petitioning Parliament to review the manner in which public consultations on the proposed constitutional amendments are being conducted.

The petition follows an earlier submission by retired Air Marshal Henry Muchena, who wrote to Parliament warning that the amendment process risks undermining the democratic principles upon which Zimbabwe’s independence struggle was founded.

In the latest development, the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association, led by Cde Andrease Ethan Mathibela, has submitted an urgent petition to the Clerk of Parliament calling for an immediate review and extension of the public consultation process.

In the petition, addressed to the Clerk of Parliament in Harare, the war veterans expressed serious concern over the structure and timeframe of the consultations currently being conducted across the country.

“We, the undersigned citizens of Zimbabwe, respectfully submit this petition to raise grave concern regarding the current arrangements for the ongoing public consultations on the proposed constitutional amendment,” the petition reads in part.

According to the war veterans, the consultations have been organized at the administrative district level and scheduled to run for only four days, an arrangement they argue effectively limits meaningful participation by many citizens, particularly those living in rural communities.

Zimbabwe’s vast geographical landscape, they argue, makes it extremely difficult for ordinary citizens in remote areas to travel long distances to district centres within such a short consultation period.

Large rural districts such as Hwange, Gokwe, Hurungwe and Tsholotsho, the petition notes, are characterized by widely dispersed communities, many of which are located dozens of kilometres away from administrative centres where the consultations are being held.

The veterans argue that expecting citizens to travel such distances under current economic conditions creates an unreasonable barrier to participation and risks excluding many voices from the constitutional process.

They further pointed to several practical factors that could make participation even more difficult.

Among the concerns raised are heavy rains currently affecting parts of the country, which in some areas have rendered roads impassable and complicated travel between rural communities and district centres.

In addition, limited public transport services, particularly in remote districts, make it even more difficult for ordinary citizens to attend consultation meetings.

The petition also highlights the widespread economic hardship affecting many Zimbabwean households, noting that travel costs alone could prevent many citizens from participating in the consultations.

Taken together with the short four-day consultation window, the veterans argue that the current arrangement falls short of the inclusive and transparent engagement required for constitutional reform.

“Public consultations on constitutional matters must be inclusive, accessible, transparent and conducted in good faith,” the petition states.

The war veterans emphasized that Zimbabwe’s Constitution places strong emphasis on the sovereignty of the people and their right to participate in governance processes that shape the future of the nation.

In light of these concerns, the petition calls on the Clerk of Parliament to urgently intervene and recommend several corrective measures.

Among the proposals is the expansion of consultation venues to lower administrative levels, such as wards or polling station areas, rather than limiting the discussions to district centres.

The petitioners argue that decentralizing the consultations would allow more citizens to attend and participate meaningfully in discussions about constitutional reforms.

The veterans also called for a significant extension of the consultation period to provide adequate time for mobilization, awareness campaigns and participation by citizens across the country.

They further urged Parliament to improve public notice and awareness regarding consultation meetings, ensuring that communities are properly informed about when and where the discussions will take place.

The petition also appeals to authorities to take into account prevailing conditions, including weather disruptions, transport challenges and economic hardships affecting many citizens.

Failure to address these concerns, the petition warns, could undermine the credibility and legitimacy of the entire consultation process.

“Constitutional amendments are matters of national importance and must be approached with the utmost commitment to broad, inclusive and genuine public participation,” the petition states.

“We therefore respectfully urge the Office of the Clerk of Parliament to urgently intervene and review the current arrangements in order to safeguard the democratic principle that the Constitution belongs to the people of Zimbabwe.”

Beyond the formal petition, the war veterans have also circulated an internal communiqué, a copy of which has been obtained by The Post On Sunday, calling for unity among citizens and warning against what they describe as the growing influence of a small and powerful elite within the country.

The communiqué expresses concern that a privileged group has accumulated wealth and political influence while the majority of Zimbabweans continue to struggle with economic hardship.

According to the message, some individuals have allegedly been pacified with material incentives such as vehicles, food hampers and other benefits in exchange for political loyalty, while others remain silent out of fear.

The veterans argue that such developments represent a departure from the values that once defined the liberation movement.

“This is no longer the ZANU-PF of yesterday, when the party belonged to the people and those entrusted with leadership understood that they were servants of the people, not their masters,” the statement reads.

The communiqué also reflects on the expectations that many liberation fighters had during the struggle for independence.

War veterans say they believed independence would usher in a society where citizens enjoyed accessible healthcare, quality and affordable education, dignified housing, reliable transport and economic opportunities for all.

Instead, the statement questions why many Zimbabweans continue to face deep economic hardship despite the country’s abundant natural resources.

“How can a people suffer so deeply in a country so richly endowed with wealth and resources?” the communiqué asks.

While reaffirming their loyalty to the nation, the war veterans urge citizens not to remain passive in the face of political developments affecting the country’s constitutional future.

“Zimbabwe belongs to its people,” the statement concludes. “It is the land of our birth, the inheritance of our children and the responsibility of every citizen.”