SYDNEY MUBAIWA
MASVINGO- Although Constitutional Amendment Act Number 3 is now part of Zimbabwe’s law, the People’s Truth Commission joins other civil society organisations to keep alive national debate on constitutionalism and democratic accountability.
In a statement issued by its convenor Godfrey Matadi, the commission expressed deep concern over swift adoption and overall scope of Constitutional Amendment Act Number 3. The commission argued that citizens should be given the opportunity to directly express their will through a free, fair, transparent and credible national referendum.
“On this day, the 31st of July, we gather not as members of different parties but as one people united against tyranny. Our message to the regime is singular and unwavering, CAA3 must fall and 2028 elections must stand.
“The People’s Truth Commission on the Constitutional Amendment stands firmly with the people exercising their constitutional rights under Section 59. As we have consistently documented, this bill is a diabolic assault on one man one vote and the sovereignty of the people. We reject the sham parliamentary process and the rumors of attempts to bribe the electorate,” reads part of the statement.
The commission further argued that when core rules governing public trust, executive tenure and electoral participation are altered, parliamentary approval alone is insufficient to replace the sovereign voice of the electorate.
Their call for a referendum arrive at a delicate moment as multiple legal petitions challenging the validity and constitutionality of CAA3 with demonstrations set for 31 July ,2026.
Addressing Zanu-PF supporters at CAA3 Masvingo Provincial celebrations held at Padare Business Centre in Zaka recently, State Security Minister Lovemore Matuke issued a stern warning to organisers of the protests saying Government through his ministry would not tolerate actions aimed at destabilising the country.
He said no one can demonstrate against a law, adding that the focus should now be on unity following the signing of the amendment into law.
“What everyone should know including malcontents who are planning to stage illegal protests over the enactment of the Constitutional Amendment Act Number 3 is that they should have canvassed for the majority of the citizens in both National Assembly and Senate houses to oppose it.
“I think they are a bit late because what they should have done was to convince the two houses not to vote for the Bill before President Mnangagwa signed it into law. Now that the Act is part of our law, every Zimbabwean citizen is bound by it and should respect it because it is an image of the will of the majority.
“You can demonstrate over low wages because it’s your constitutional right to do that but you cannot demonstrate against a law. It means our security will deal with you,” he said.
Matuke said President Mnangagwa is a constitutionalist who did not interfere with the CAB3 process showing his respect to the will of Zimbabwean nationals.
“Let me tell you one thing, those who are trying to oppose this development. President Mnangagwa is a constitutionalist because he didn’t interfere with the process of CAB3. He didn’t address people to vote for the Bill. He waited for the Bill to pass through all processes and because the majority voted for it, he assented it to become a law,” said Matuke.
Constitutional Amendment Number 3 was recently assented to by President Mnangagwa and is now an Act of Parliament. The amendments have however sparked debate in political circles, with some opposition groups, churches and civic society organisations calling for demonstrations on July 31, 2026 to register their disapproval.
