‘They are dismantling the Constitution, not amending it’ – New coalition unites churches, labour and civic groups against CAB3

A fresh political front has emerged against Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3), with a newly launched coalition positioning itself as a challenger to Zanu PF’s political dominance while vowing to block the contentious legislation.

Launched on Friday under the banner Sungano yeVanhu/Ubumbano lomphakathi (The People’s Coalition), the alliance wasted no time in declaring its opposition to CAB3, describing the proposed constitutional changes as an assault on Zimbabwe’s democratic foundations.

Delivering the coalition’s opening address, United Theological College Principal Reverend Kupakwashe Mtata accused authorities of undermining the country’s supreme law for political expediency.

Speaking at the launch, Mtata said CAB3 was not a legitimate constitutional reform process but an attack on the Constitution itself.

“The process violates the Constitution and undermines Zimbabweans’ covenant as a nation,” Mtata said.

“This is not amendment. It is betrayal.”

The cleric argued that the constitutional amendment process had excluded ordinary Zimbabweans, saying citizens had effectively been shut out while decisions about the country’s governance were being made behind closed doors.

According to Mtata, the process threatens the social contract that binds Zimbabweans together and undermines the principles upon which the Constitution was founded.

The People’s Coalition brings together constitutional advocacy groups, churches, labour unions, civic organisations, war veterans and political parties united by concerns that constitutional reform is increasingly being driven by political interests rather than the will of the people.

Mtata’s remarks add to growing opposition to CAB3, with critics arguing that the Bill represents another step in weakening democratic safeguards, eroding constitutional checks and balances, and concentrating more power in the Executive.

The coalition’s founding members include the Defend the Constitution Platform (DCP), Constitution Defence Forum (CDF), National Constitutional Assembly (NCA), Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU), Zimbabwe Constitution Movement (ZICOMO), and the War Veterans Pressure Group.

Although CAB3 has already been passed by both the National Assembly and Senate and is awaiting President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s assent, the coalition says it will pursue legal action and other constitutional avenues in an effort to prevent the Bill from becoming law.