Professor Critiques Zimbabwe’s Constitutional Amendment Consultation Process
Harare, Zimbabwe — The ongoing public consultation process regarding the proposed Constitutional Amendment No. 3 has come under fire from Professor Lovemore Madhuku, the president of the National Constitutional Assembly. He has labeled the engagement efforts as “meaningless” and accused Parliament, specifically Speaker Jacob Mudenda, of blending his political duties with his parliamentary roles.
Speaking to journalists in Harare, Professor Madhuku expressed concern that the current avenues for public input are largely unworkable for ordinary Zimbabweans. “The methods for providing feedback rely on either email submissions or physical appearances at Parliament,” he explained. “This setup is unrealistic, especially for those living in remote areas where internet access is scarce, if not completely unavailable.”
The consultation process requires citizens to either send their opinions electronically or travel to the New Parliament Building, a significant barrier for many. The challenge of reaching the capital from distant locations has left many feeling excluded. “For someone in Mberengwa to make that journey is simply impractical,” added Madhuku. He pointed out that even residents of Harare struggle with the logistics of visiting the Parliament.
Madhuku has criticized the lack of alternative, more accessible platforms that could facilitate broader public participation, such as radio call-in shows. “There should be discussions on popular media where everyday citizens can voice their views,” he noted. The absence of such platforms makes it evident that the current approach does not genuinely seek public engagement.
The professor’s sharpest criticism was directed at Speaker Mudenda, who also holds the position of Secretary General of the ruling Zanu PF party. Madhuku believes that this dual role has hampered Mudenda’s ability to effectively serve as Speaker of Parliament. “He cannot separate his duties; one day he’s rigidly a party official, and the next day he’s supposed to lead Parliament,” he remarked.
He suggested that Mudenda’s recent elevation within the party has diluted his effectiveness in his parliamentary responsibilities. “Once he assumed the party secretary role, I observed a notable shift in his focus away from his duties as Speaker,” Madhuku stated.
Questions were also raised regarding the procedural integrity of how the amendment bill was introduced. Madhuku indicated that it did not undergo an adequate debate among parliamentarians, as illustrated by its quick passage without significant discussion. “The Speaker’s tenure has become more about Zanu PF than about performing his role in Parliament,” he emphasized.
Madhuku concluded by asserting that expecting one individual to fairly manage constitutional consultations while also holding a senior party position is unrealistic. His call for Mudenda to recuse himself from the consultation leadership has sparked a larger conversation about how public opinion is solicited in Zimbabwe.
Despite these concerns, the government maintains that the process is legitimate and designed to incorporate citizen feedback. However, critics emphasize the need for more inclusive mechanisms to ensure that all Zimbabweans have a voice in shaping their constitutional landscape.
As the consultation process moves forward, the gap between government expectations and citizen accessibility remains a crucial issue that will likely influence public trust and participation in democratic processes going forward.
— Reported by Nexio News
