THE AMENDMENTS WAR
The great CAB3 war of 2025 and 2026 is drawing to a close. The outcome of the debate will not be what most ZANU-PF supporters expected. But the technocrats and bureaucrats at Jongwe House will certainly be pleased. It played out exactly as they planned. Those sharp minds at Shake Shake Building managed to slip in two key provisions that were never part of the original ZANU- PF Conference Resolution Number 1. The proportional representation clause and the traditional leadership clause were clearly inserted into the Bill. The party never passed a resolution on either of them.
THE REFERENDUM DODGE
The same strategists in ZANU-PF managed to navigate around the referendum requirement. Their explanations for avoiding a referendum were carefully crafted and legally and constitutionally sound. They argued that the 2013 Constitution is clear on when a referendum is needed, under Section 328.
The test was whether CAB3 amends any clauses that the Constitution specifically protects with a referendum. The strategists, including the prodigal son Professor Jonathan Moyo, gave a firm "NO".
They stated that only three areas trigger a mandatory referendum: the Declaration of Rights, the Land provisions, and Presidential term limits. They told the nation that if an amendment touches those three areas, a referendum is mandatory. If it does not, the Constitution allows Parliament to use the two-thirds amendment process. On that basis, the issue was settled.
The three amendments in CAB3 do not fall within the protected categories. From the Bill’s text, the answer is No.
THE CONSULTATION PROCESS
The opposition parties and press have branded the consultation process as unpopular, aiming to turn the people against the President. That has been a major problem for the strategists at Jongwe House. Yet the party has sold the amendments' legality and political aims to the general population, and sold them well. The consultations are done. ZANU-PF has managed to win public buy-in. It is now for Parliament to determine the Bill’s fate. The Bill will likely pass because both opposition MPs and ZANU-PF MPs stand to gain from the term extension. The masterminds at Jongwe House rolled loaded dice, and everyone in the system played along
THE COUP AND THE ONE PARTY STATE TWIST
Here is the most interesting part. The team at Shake Shake Building has not only extended power by two years, but they have also sidestepped the 2028 general elections. That suits the Party. The strategists have effectively planned an executive coup disguised as a Bill.
The power to remove the Executive now sits with the Legislature. Parliament can remove the President through a simple voting process. The President himself is walking on thin ice!!!
Opposition strategists are uneasy because they will never command a majority in the Legislature. CAB3 will be the final nail in the opposition’s coffin.
It will be a one-party state until 2030!!
Asante Sana!!
