SYDNEY MUBAIWA
MASVINGO – Diaspora Coalition for Democrats (DCD) has joined a coalition of five opposition political parties in launching the People’s Truth Commission on the Constitutional Amendment (PTCCA), a new body which is aimed at fighting proposed constitutional changes.
In a statement in the hands of The Midweek Watch, the group members said the development would effectively end direct presidential elections in the country.
Launching the campaign on 21 April 2026, the commission responses to Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3), which it claims would extend the presidential term from five to seven years, replace direct presidential elections with a vote by lawmakers, remove the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), and transfer voter registration to an executive appointee.
“This is not constitutional reform,” the PTCCA statement read. “This is a coup dressed in legislative robes.”
The coalition cited a report from the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) documenting what it described as a “strong pattern of controlled participation” during public hearings held from March 30 to April 2 across all ten provinces. According to the ZHRC findings quoted by the PTCCA, “men holding whips were involved in vetting participants” in Mashonaland West, while those with divergent views were “threatened, silenced, denied opportunities to contribute and in some instances physically attacked.”
The commision comprises five political parties: Zvido Zvevanhu People’s Party led by Godfrey Matadi, Freezim Congress led by Joseph Makamba Busha, MDC led by Morgan Komichi, National Progressive Democrats led by Togara Fambi, and United Zimbabwe Alliance led by Elisabeth Valerio and Diaspora organisations- Diaspora Coalition for Democrats (DCD) represented by Shelton Chigugu (technical advisor).
The body, which describes itself as a “peaceful, lawful and constitutional abiding” organisation rather than a political party, issued eight core demands including a binding national referendum, the immediate withdrawal of CAB3, and the holding of the 2028 elections as scheduled.
The coalition also announced the launch of the “One Million Voices for Democracy” campaign.
FreeZimCongressMDCPeople’s Truth Commission on the ConstitutionalAmendmentUZAZimbabwe Human Rights CommissionZvido Zvevanhu People’s Party
The development comes amid growing tension over the Bill, which seeks to introduce several constitutional changes, including provisions widely viewed as paving the way for President Mnangagwa to remain in office until 2030.
Critics argue that any amendment extending a public holder’s tenure must be approved through a referendum.
