Martin Muleya
MUTARE-Zanu Pf has warned its members against opposing Constitutional Amendment Bill number 3, with Secretary for War Veterans Douglas Mahiya stating that anyone who speaks out against it would face disciplinary action.
Addressing war veterans at Marymount Teachers’ College, Mahiya emphasized the importance of supporting the bill, saying it is a crucial step in the history of the country.
“If there is a war veteran who speaks against constitutional amendment bill number 3, you should write a letter so that the said individual can be summoned for a disciplinary action.
“We are tired of being in perpetual mode of elections. We have summoned you (war veterans) because you are the backbone of the party that was used to reclaim the country from our colonialists,” said Mahiya.
He argued that amending the constitution was a common practice, citing examples from other Commonwealth countries. He also addressed concerns about President Emerson Mnangagwa’s term limit claiming the election cycle had changed and the President was serving his final second term with two more years added.
Manicaland Provincial Affairs Minister Misheck Mugadza echoed Mahiya’s sentiments, announcing plans to establish irrigation schemes for war veterans. Mugadza highlighted the Government efforts to develop the province including constructing a dam and allocating land for irrigation projects.
“We have a programme of establishing irrigation schemes and by the time we are done, you shall notice that here we will be producing top quality. Our airport needs a stretch of up to 2030 tenure. We have a lake we were given by President Mnangagwa named Lake Kondo.
“We have Save river meeting with Macheke river and at that place we are constructing a dam that will be much bigger than Tugwi Mukosi. Those who know this place from there are about 20 000 hectares and upwards along Marovanyati dam there are already 1 250 hectares of land reserved for irrigation. We will not have a district with no massive irrigation scheme. As chairman of lands committee in the province, I am proposing that we have war veterans who want to do massive irrigation for business to come forward and we will give them the space,” said Mugadza amid thunderous applause.
Zanu PF has maintained that the amendment does not require a referendum citing Section 328 (6) of the Constitution. Zanu Pf is pushing ahead with the amendment, with Mahiya emphasizing the need for the party to unite and support the Bill.
