RESIDENTS in various provinces have asked Parliament to decentralise public hearings on Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Bill (No.3) (H.B.1, 2026) scheduled between 30 March 2026 and 2 April 2026 to avoid disenfranchising people from participating and contributing in the crucial consultations on the proposed Bill.
In two urgent court applications filed at Harare High Court on 23 March 2026 and at Masvingo High Court on 24 March 2026, the residents petitioned the High Court seeking an order to compel Parliament to decentralise public hearings to all wards across the country and not only hold them at some selected districts as this would disenfranchise people from attending and participating at the meetings.
Parliament recently published a schedule of public hearings to be held on Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Bill (No.3) (H.B.1, 2026) scheduled to be held in less than one week between 30 March 2026 and 2 April 2026.
The residents, who reside in Mashonaland East province and Masvingo province, argued that they live in densely populated districts areas and that public hearings will be conducted by way of districts and not by wards, which makes it impossible for them to participate in the consultations as the chosen venues are not central to the districts, where they reside meaning that they would have to travel long distances to access the venues and this will dissuade the majority of people from participating.
They argued that the selection of some places such as Hwedza Centre as the sole venue for the public hearing is unconscionable, unrealistic and unfairly limits the rights of people to participate given that most people must travel on foot or use limited public transport to the venue of the public hearings.
The residents protested that Parliament is not providing transport to aid indigent people to access the set venues regardless of its obligation to provide facilities for such purpose in terms of the enabling relevant provision of section 328(4) of the Constitution, which obliges it to do so.
They want Parliament represented by Speaker of the National Assembly Hon. Jacob Mudenda and President of the Senate Hon. Mabel Chinomona to carry out its mandate to conduct public hearings into Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Bill (No.3) (H.B.1, 2026) in full compliance with the provisions of section 328(4) of the Constitution, which obliges it to convene meetings and provide facilities to enable members of the public to express their views on the proposed Bill.
In so doing, the residents argued that Parliament would be fulfilling its constitutional mandate to safeguard the Constitution by ensuring that people actively participate in any public hearing concerning the amendment of the Constitution and grant them an adequate opportunity to participate in the consultation process in a manner that is fair.
The residents also argued that they have a right to exercise and enjoy freedom of expression, which entails that they must be allowed a proper opportunity to freely express their views on matters of national importance like the amendment of the Constitution on fundamental issues as are contained in Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Bill (No.3) (H.B.1, 2026).
Some of the residents said in the event that Parliament would be unable to comply with their request due to time constrains, it should be ordered to provide transportation facilities to residents to ferry them to attend the public hearings on the set dates.
Other residents also want the High Court to interdict Parliament from holding the public hearings on the set dates and to provide venues which are central to their respective districts and to decentralise them to all wards.
The residents are represented by Passmore Nyakureba, Calexy Maunga and Phillip Shumba of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights and Dorothy Mutungura of Maunga and Maanda and Associates.
Apart from Parliament, the residents have also cited Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Hon. Ziyambi Ziyambi and President Emmerson Mnangagwa as respondents to their urgent applications.
The first urgent court application filed at Harare High Court, has been set down for hearing and determination, on Thursday 26 March 2026 before High Court Judge Justice Gibson Mandaza at 10:AM while the one filed at Masvingo High Court is yet to be set down for hearing.
ENDS
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