Allegations of financial influence have surfaced surrounding the Constitution Amendment No 3 Bill (CAB3) in Zimbabwe, with reports suggesting some legislators received up to US$10,000 to secure votes for extending President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term. While the ruling Zanu PF party holds a majority in the National Assembly, the party remains short of the required threshold in the Senate, making the support of opposition factions critical to the bill’s passage.
How are funds allegedly being used to influence the Senate vote?
Sources indicate that payments of US$10,000 were distributed earlier this week to certain Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) legislators. According to these reports, the funds were channeled through a senior official associated with the faction led by Sengezo Tshabangu. These claims follow earlier warnings from Retired Air Vice-Marshal Henry Muchena, who alleged that a prominent businessman had promised payments of up to US$50,000 to all legislators to ensure the bill passes.
The proposed Constitutional Amendment No 3 seeks to remove the direct election of the President and extend the current presidential term by two years. These changes represent some of the most significant adjustments to the 2013 Constitution since its inception.
What is the current stance of the CCC leadership?
Nqobizitha Mlilo, spokesperson for the Sengezo Tshabangu-led faction, has dismissed the bribery allegations as “petty.” Mlilo stated that the faction is not operating as “voting cows” and is instead seeking substantive political concessions from the ruling party. He described the current draft of the bill as “unworkable” and argued that Parliament should not be used as a rubber stamp for Zanu PF conference resolutions. Despite this official rhetoric, some individual MPs aligned with the faction have publicly defied party lines to support the bill.
Why are individual MPs breaking ranks?
Internal divisions within the opposition have become visible during recent parliamentary debates. Budiriro North MP Susan Matsunga, for instance, publicly endorsed the bill, citing infrastructure projects such as the Trabablas Interchange and the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport as evidence of the President’s success. Notably, records show Matsunga has previously participated in borehole drilling programs coordinated by Paul Tungwarara, a presidential advisor. This shift in support highlights a growing fracture between opposition legislators who prioritize local development projects and those who maintain a hardline stance against constitutional reform.
| Source/Entity | Position on CAB3 |
|---|---|
| Zanu PF | Advocating for passage to extend term limits. |
| Tshabangu Faction (Official) | Demanding concessions; claims to oppose “blind” support. |
| Individual MPs (e.g. Matsunga) | Publicly supporting the bill citing infrastructure gains. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main goal of Constitutional Amendment No 3?
The bill proposes a two-year extension to President Mnangagwa’s term and the removal of the requirement for the direct election of the President.
Why is the Senate vote considered high-stakes?
Zanu PF currently lacks a sufficient number of seats in the Senate to pass the amendment unilaterally, making the votes of opposition senators essential.
Have any officials confirmed the bribery allegations?
No, the allegations remain claims made by “impeccable sources” and Retired Air Vice-Marshal Henry Muchena. The Tshabangu faction has formally denied the accusations.
To stay updated on the legal status of the Constitution Amendment No 3 Bill, monitor the official Hansard records published by the Parliament of Zimbabwe, which provide the verbatim accounts of MP contributions during the debate.
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