Opposition to the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill, 2026, is intensifying as the controversial legislation nears its final stages in Parliament, with political parties, civic groups, lawyers and war veterans stepping up efforts to block the proposed changes through the courts and public pressure.
The latest resistance came from the Patriotic Alliance, which declared its support for war veterans who approached the Constitutional Court seeking to stop key provisions of the Bill, arguing that the proposed amendments are unconstitutional and threaten Zimbabwe’s democratic order.
On Wednesday, the Constitutional Court reserved judgment in two separate applications challenging Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CB3) — one filed by war veterans and another by former Binga North legislator, Prince Dubeko Sibanda.
Sibanda, who won the Binga North parliamentary seat in the 2013, 2018 and 2023 elections before being recalled later in 2023, is challenging provisions that seek to extend presidential and parliamentary terms. He argues that the proposed changes violate constitutional amendment procedures and are “constitutionally incompetent.”
During proceedings, the Constitutional Court repeatedly questioned whether the applications had been filed prematurely, with judges pressing the applicants’ lawyer, Professor Lovemore Madhuku, on whether litigants should have waited for Parliament to complete the legislative process before approaching the courts.
The bench focused heavily on whether the court could intervene before Parliament had fully debated and passed the Bill.
Judgment was reserved to allow the judges time to consider submissions from all parties.
As uncertainty over the Bill continues, the Patriotic Alliance said it remained firmly behind the constitutional challenge.
The party’s Secretary General, Bernard Dube, described the Bill as “unconstitutional, undemocratic, and a direct attack on the will of the people of Zimbabwe.”
“We are firmly behind this Constitutional Court action because we believe that Bill No. 3 is unconstitutional, undemocratic, and a direct attack on the will of the people of Zimbabwe,” said Dube.
He praised war veterans and political figures involved in the legal challenge, including Reuben Zulu, Godfrey Gurira, Shoorai Nyamangodo, Joseph Chinyangare, Digmore Knowledge Ndiya, Joseph Chinguwa and Sibanda, describing them as individuals “standing for justice, accountability, and the protection of Zimbabwe’s democratic future.”
“These brave freedom fighters represent the true spirit of the liberation struggle,” Dube said.
The Patriotic Alliance also aligned itself with civic organisations, churches and opposition groups resisting the proposed amendments.
“We stand firmly with all citizens, civic organisations, churches and political voices who have opposed Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3,” Dube said.
“This proposed amendment, which seeks to extend presidential term limits and alter the democratic structure of leadership selection, is widely viewed as a threat to constitutional democracy and the will of the people.”
The party also acknowledged legal and political figures who have publicly opposed the Bill, including former Finance Minister Tendai Biti, Professor Madhuku, human rights lawyer Doug Coltart and the Defend the Constitution Platform.
According to Dube, resistance to the Bill reflects broader frustrations over governance, inequality and economic hardship.
“We also note that many Zimbabweans continue to suffer due to inequality, corruption and the unfair distribution of national wealth,” he said.
“While a few benefit from state resources, the majority struggle with poverty, unemployment, poor healthcare and underfunded education.”
Dube said Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle had not been fought to benefit “a small elite while the majority suffer,” adding that many citizens had been forced to leave the country in search of opportunities abroad.
“So many of our brothers and sisters died during the liberation struggle so that Zimbabwe could belong to its people,” he said.
“They did not sacrifice their lives for a system where only a few elites enjoy national wealth while the majority suffer.”
The Patriotic Alliance called for equitable distribution of resources, affordable education and healthcare, stronger social protection systems, job creation and adherence to constitutional democracy and human rights.
The party also issued a strongly worded rejection of the proposed amendments.
“Our position is clear: No to Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3. No to corruption and state capture. No to unequal distribution of national wealth. Yes to democracy and the rule of law,” Dube said.
The growing opposition comes as Parliament prepares to move the Bill through its final legislative stages amid mounting political contestation over the proposed amendments.
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