The Zimbabwe Constitutional Movement (Zicomo) on March 26, convened a civil society meeting, as part of the preparations for the parliamentary public consultations regarding the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Number 3 Bill of 2026 scheduled from March 30 to April 2 .
This meeting brought together 39 representatives from diverse sectors across the country, emphasising the collective concern for the constitutional process and its implications for the nation.
The participants represented a broad spectrum of society, including human rights organisations, youth advocacy groups, women’s rights activists, farmers’ associations, business leaders, legal professionals, academic scholars, religious organizations, content creators, labour representatives, and students, among others.
In our assessment of the current political climate, participants voiced their concerns about the restrictive operating environment that has hindered civil society organisations and opposition political parties from effectively engaging with the public and providing them with adequate education regarding the Amendment Bill.
As a result, Zicomo firmly asserts its concerns that the outcomes of the consultations are unlikely to accurately reflect the views and needs of the Zimbabwean populace, and will produce a flawed outcome.
Furthermore, the meeting highlighted the activities of the ruling party, Zanu PF, which has been freely and actively campaigning throughout the country’s provinces and ‘coaching’ its supporters on how to respond during the public hearings without any apparent restrictions from the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP).
Participants expressed their frustration over the lack of accessible simplified information about the bill, noting that many Zimbabweans remain unaware of its content and implications.
We, therefore, register our deep concern about the fairness and equity of the consultation process particularly due to the one-sided access to information.
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This information gap is critical, as it hampers citizens’ ability to make informed contributions during the public discussions.
Additionally, the meeting expressed worry about the selected venues for the consultations, most of which are in remote locations, further away from any business activity or where communities reside potentially creating barriers to attendance as people will have to travel long distances.
Already, information at hand points out that Zanu PF is strategically planning to transport its supporters to these distant venues, further skewing the representation of views during the consultations.
Overall, the reports from various provinces have painted a concerning picture of the prevailing operating environment in the country, an atmosphere fraught with tension and fear.
It is our assessment that the ruling party, Zanu PF, may be strategically gauging public sentiment to potentially leverage the current environment to ambush Zimbabweans towards a referendum, which conditions remain decidedly unfavourable for ensuring a credible, free, and fair electoral process.
We, therefore, call on all progressive forces to remain vigilant and prepare for the worst-case scenario. It is crucial to continue mobilising and raising awareness among Zimbabweans.
If the discussion of a referendum emerges, we must have our boots on the ground and be ready to act decisively.
In light of the upcoming consultations, Zicomo is taking a strong stand alongside other progressive forces by actively participating.
We are determined to mobilise citizens to not only engage in these discussions but also to firmly express their outright rejection of Amendment Number 3 Bill.
However, while we are encouraging participation in the public consultations, we remain concerned about the safety of well-meaning Zimbabweans who wish to voice their opinions during these consultations.
Thus, Zicomo strongly urges the security establishment of the country to take immediate and effective measures to guarantee the safety and protection of all Zimbabweans during this process. It is critical that citizens feel secure in exercising their democratic rights without fear of reprisal or intimidation.
Lastly, we wish to underscore the urgent need for transparency, inclusivity, and genuine engagement in the constitutional review process to ensure that the voices of all Zimbabweans are heard and valued.
