Member of Parliament for Hatcliffe, Agency Gumbo, has warned that Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3) risks undermining national development by placing excessive reliance on individual office holders rather than strong national institutions.
Contributing to parliamentary debate on the proposed constitutional changes, Gumbo argued that the Constitution should strengthen institutions capable of sustaining national programmes beyond the tenure of any particular leader.
He said proponents of the Bill had justified some of the proposed amendments on the basis that they would promote continuity and help achieve national development goals, including Vision 2030. However, Gumbo cautioned against linking the success of national programmes to the continued presence of specific leaders in office.
“If national visions depend upon the continuity of particular office holders, then what we have is not institutional development but personalised development,” he told Parliament.
On this topic
Gumbo argued that national development strategies should belong to the nation and remain effective regardless of changes in leadership.
“A national vision should belong to the nation. It should survive presidents, parliaments, changes in governance and any partisan government,” he said.
The legislator cited examples from across Africa, saying countries such as Botswana, Ghana and Mauritius had achieved progress through strong institutions rather than reliance on individual leaders.
“The Constitution should strengthen institutions so that national development survives leadership change. It should not alter constitutional safeguards so that leadership survives beyond ordinarily set term limits,” he said.
Gumbo also rejected suggestions that constitutional limitations could be relaxed in pursuit of developmental objectives.
“Zimbabwe does not have to choose between democracy and development. Zimbabweans deserve both,” he said.
According to Gumbo, development that is not anchored on accountability and constitutional safeguards is vulnerable and unsustainable.
“Development without accountability is fragile. Development without constitutional restraint is unsustainable. Development without legitimacy ultimately undermines itself,” he said.
Support CITE’s fearless, independent journalism. Your donation helps us amplify community voices, fight misinformation, and hold power to account. Help keep the truth alive. Donate today
Leave a Reply