'Withdraw CAB3 Now' Biti Launches Fresh Attack On Constitutional Changes

Tendai Biti, convener of the Constitution Defenders' Forum (CDF) and former Finance Minister, has launched a strong attack on Zimbabwe's proposed Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3), demanding its immediate withdrawal. Biti characterized the bill as a "coup d'état against the people of Zimbabwe" and a direct assault on the nation's 2013 Constitution, which he stated was approved by over three million citizens in a referendum.

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The move by ZANU-PF and its leader, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, to push through Parliament CAB3 without the support, consent and authority of the people of Zimbabwe pushes our people into a precipice and a point of no return.

Speaking at a press conference in Harare, Biti accused the ruling ZANU-PF party and its leader, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, of attempting to push through constitutional changes without broad public support or consent. "The move by ZANU-PF and its leader, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, to push through Parliament CAB3 without the support, consent and authority of the people of Zimbabwe pushes our people into a precipice and a point of no return," Biti declared.

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Right from the word go, we have argued consistently that CAB3 is a coup d'état against the people of Zimbabwe. It is a coup against the 2013 National Constitution of Zimbabwe that was approved by over three million people in a referendum.

Biti, a constitutional lawyer, argued that certain proposed amendments would significantly shift democratic powers away from citizens and towards Parliament. He specifically alleged that the bill aims to remove term limits and pave the way for a "life presidency" for Mnangagwa, while also altering provisions related to electoral processes and leadership succession. His organization has consistently opposed the bill, asserting that it undermines fundamental principles enshrined in the current constitution.

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CAB3 seeks to remove entrenched term limits and create a life presidency for Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Furthermore, Biti heavily criticized the public consultation process conducted by Parliament prior to the bill's introduction. He described the consultations as a "farce," marred by intimidation, manipulation, fear, and violence, failing to adequately capture the genuine views of ordinary citizens. Biti urged legislators to carefully consider the long-term implications of the proposed amendments and called for Parliament to suspend debate until the mandatory public consultation processes, as stipulated in Section 141 of the Constitution, are respected and properly conducted.

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The process that has gotten us to today has been a farce. Parliament's public consultation process was marred with violence, manipulation, fear and daylight thuggery.