A public hearing on the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Bill (No. 3) was disrupted at Nketa Hall after a participant was forcibly removed for wearing politically charged clothing, as separate concerns emerged over the credibility of the consultation process.
The woman was stopped mid-submission after officials objected to her attire, a T-shirt and head wrap bearing the words: “No to 2030 agenda, No to Bill Number 3, ZANU PF must go.”
Before being interrupted, she had questioned the legality of the proposed amendment, arguing that efforts to extend presidential term limits were inconsistent with provisions of the 2013 Constitution.
“There is a lot of ambiguity surrounding this proposed amendment. What Mnangagwa is proposing is against our Constitution. He is not following what is contained therein,” she said.
Her remarks were met with jeers from sections of the audience. A member of the parliamentary team ruled that she had breached hearing guidelines by wearing “regalia” and ordered her removal.
The decision prompted commotion inside the hall, with some attendees demanding that she be escorted out. After she was removed, a group followed her outside and chased her, forcing her to flee into a nearby bushy area.
Proceedings were brought to an abrupt close shortly afterwards as order was restored.
Concerns have also been raised about the authenticity of public participation in the hearings, with some attendees appearing disengaged during the session.
Several women, some carrying young children, were seen struggling to stay awake, while others appeared to doze off despite having taken front-row seats earlier.
After the hearing, CITE observed buses transporting attendees from the venue, including some labelled Gokwe and another marked Bulawayo–Gweru, raising questions about how participants had been mobilised.
The early departure of some attendees further limited opportunities for others who had been unable to gain entry to present their views.
One participant, who identified himself as Nkomo, described the process as staged and exclusionary.
“Bill Number 3 is not working for us as Zimbabweans. According to the Constitution, this process should go through a referendum first. This is flawed,” he said.
“You can hear from some of the contributors that they attended certain workshops beforehand. As people, we want a referendum so that we can speak freely, and when we vote no, it should be respected.”
Nkomo also alleged that some individuals were prioritised over others in accessing the hearings, further undermining confidence in the consultation process.
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