The Constitution Defenders Forum (CDF) has demanded an immediate suspension of public hearings on Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3. The organisation argues that the process is flawed and lacks legitimacy.
In a statement on 1 April 2026, spokesperson Jacob Rukweza highlighted growing concerns. He stated that intimidation and disorder have disrupted the hearings.
Moreover, he stressed that these actions violate constitutional rights. These include freedom of expression, assembly, and association.
Said Rukweza:
“The violence and systematic disruptions have rendered the public hearings a complete farce, an exercise that appears designed to manufacture legitimacy for an already predetermined outcome rather than to genuinely solicit the views of citizens.
“Parliament cannot be said to have sufficiently discharged its constitutional obligation under Section 141 to facilitate meaningful public involvement in legislative processes.”
Disruptions and Exclusion Reported
Rukweza further described irregularities during hearings in different locations. He explained that proceedings in Bulawayo ended earlier than scheduled.
Additionally, authorities cut short the Nketa Hall session after a human rights activist spoke. He also raised concerns about transported participants.
Said Rukweza:
“There were also indications of bused participants, both at the City Hall and Nketa Hall venues, where buses were seen dropping off participants who did not appear to be from Bulawayo. Buses with visible Gokwe signs were seen.
“In Harare, at the City Sports Centre, opposition figures were effectively denied the opportunity to speak and had to be escorted to safety by their personal security.
“Monitors recorded that only approximately 35 to 36 individuals spoke at the Bulawayo City Hall hearing and a mere 13 at Nketa Hall, bringing the total number of speakers in a city of over one million residents to just 49 or 50 individuals.
“This reflects a grossly inadequate and exclusionary process, where only a skeletal fraction of attendees was able to make submissions, thereby silencing the overwhelming majority.”
Concerns Over Security and Legitimacy
Furthermore, Rukweza criticised the absence of police during the hearings. He argued that this allowed criminal acts to occur without consequence. These included the theft of Douglas Coltart’s phone and his assault.
Said Rukweza:
“This points to a failure, whether of capacity or willingness, to maintain law and order.
“Ultimately, it is indicative of choreographed suppression of citizens’ rights and freedoms.
“Under such blatantly divisive and repressive circumstances, these hearings cannot be allowed to proceed.”
Finally, the CDF urged authorities to adopt a lawful process.
It recommended a national referendum to determine the people’s will transparently.
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