Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi has ruled out the possibility of a secret ballot when Parliament votes on the contentious Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3, insisting MPs will vote openly under the direction of their respective party chief whips in line with Zimbabwe’s parliamentary party system.
His remarks come as Parliament prepares to move into the final stages of the Bill in the coming days following nationwide public hearings that exposed deep political divisions over the proposed constitutional amendments.
Speaking at the ruling party’s National Youth League National Assembly at the party headquarters in Harare on Wednesday, Ziyambi outlined the legislative process that will follow after parliamentary staff complete the sorting and compilation of submissions gathered during the recent public consultations.
“Last week I went to Parliament and staff were now sorting the submissions according to what people would have said, then afterwards would prepare portfolio reports,” said Ziyambi.
“We said Parliament for now must rest, when staff is finished sorting the reports and reports are done, there will be a first reading of the bill then it goes for second reading. It will be an open debate in Parliament then we go to the committee stages where we look at the bill clause by clause.”
The justice minister said the final vote would not be conducted secretly, dismissing concerns that MPs could be influenced or intimidated.
“When it comes to voting some will say MPs were bought but we use a party parliamentary system where the party’s chief whip leads direction of the party,” Ziyambi said.
“We will divide the House, those who say yes on one side and those who say no on the other side. There will be no secret ballot but a party democratic system. The party is supreme, what the party says is what you will do.”
The Justice Minister said party caucuses would determine who would nominate and second motions during the debate process.
“The chief whip will call for a caucus to decide who will nominate and who will second. Those who are chosen will do so since we are an organised party,” he said.
“That’s how the vote will proceed. What the people want will be done through the party. There will be no selling out. Even our party constitution is clear that if you go against party you will be out of Parliament.”
Ziyambi’s comments come just days after Douglas Mwonzora, leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), wrote to the Speaker of Parliament demanding that MPs vote by secret ballot on Bill No. 3.
Mwonzora stated MPs required protection from intimidation and political pressure surrounding the proposed amendments, which have triggered intense public debate and criticism from citizens, opposition groups and civic organisations.
The MDC has since sharply criticised Ziyambi’s declaration, arguing that constitutional amendments should not be subjected to rigid party control.
MDC Presidential Spokesperson, Lloyd Damba, said the party rejected the Justice Minister’s position.
“The MDC rejects the declaration by Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi that voting on Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 will not be conducted by secret ballot,” Damba said.
“Constitutional amendments are not ordinary legislation. They alter the social contract between the State and the People.”
Damba said the lawmakers would be voting on matters with far-reaching implications for governance and democratic accountability.
“When Parliament votes on CAB 3, each Member of Parliament and Senator is voting on behalf of millions of Zimbabweans on issues that touch presidential term limits, executive power, and the independence of institutions,” he said.
“That is a matter of conscience and national interest, not party instruction.”
The MDC warned that refusing a secret ballot could expose legislators to intimidation and undermine Parliament’s independence.
“Denying MPs the option of a secret ballot opens the door to intimidation, political coercion and the suppression of independent judgment,” Damba said.
“Parliament is meant to be a deliberative body where representatives vote according to their assessment for the national good and the Constitution they swore to uphold. Removing the safeguard of a secret ballot undermines that role and reduces Parliament to a rubber stamping instrument.”
MDC further argued that Parliament’s Standing Orders provide for secret ballots under certain circumstances and accused the minister of overstepping his authority.
“The Minister does not have the authority to override the House’s own procedures or to pre-determine how MPs will vote,” Damba said.
“Ziyambi’s declaration is premature, procedurally improper, and inconsistent with the spirit of open constitutionalism that the 2013 Constitution was meant to entrench.”
The MDC called on the Speaker and the Clerk of Parliament to make sure that Parliament independently determines the voting procedure.
“Zimbabweans deserve a Parliament that votes freely, transparently, and without fear,” Damba said.
“Anything less makes a mockery of constitutionalism and democratic principles.”
The Amendment Bill 3 has emerged as one of the most politically sensitive constitutional reform processes in recent years, with those against warning that some proposed amendments will weaken democratic safeguards and consolidate executive authority, while Zanu PF supporters claim the changes are necessary for governance continuity and efficiency.
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