Proportional Representation legislator for Harare Province, Gladys Hlatywayo, has criticised the public consultation process for Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3), describing parliamentary hearings as inadequate and compromised by intimidation, violence and political interference.
Speaking during debate on the Bill in the National Assembly, Hlatywayo said the consultations failed to provide citizens with a genuine opportunity to freely express their views on the proposed constitutional changes.
“I wish to register my disappointment with the manner in which the CAB3 public hearings were conducted. The public hearings were grossly inadequate in both number and geographical distribution. They were also marred by violence and intimidation,” she told Parliament.
Hlatywayo said she attended the public hearing held at the City Sports Centre in Harare and witnessed conduct that, in her view, undermined the credibility of the process.
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“I am ashamed that, as Parliament, we failed to give people an opportunity to freely express their views without fear or favour,” she said.
The opposition lawmaker alleged that the meeting had effectively been taken over by political actors.
“The City Sports Centre hearing was not a public hearing, but a party meeting. It was hijacked by party functionaries who became responsible for deciding who would speak,” she said.
Her remarks prompted an intervention from the chair, who asked whether she had evidence to support her claims.
In response, Hlatywayo maintained that she was speaking from personal experience as an eyewitness.
“Yes, I do have evidence. As I have already said, I was there in person. I am speaking about my own experiences,” she said.
She also criticised authorities for failing to act on reported incidents that allegedly occurred during the hearings, including the widely publicised incident involving lawyer Doug Coltart.
“It should be embarrassing to this House that, to this day, no one has been held accountable for these transgressions,” she said.
After another legislator argued that criminal offences should be reported to the police, Hlatywayo responded that the matter had indeed been reported but no action had been taken.
“Indeed, the matter was reported. It is before the police, but nothing has been done,” she said.
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