CAB3: Madhuku Defends Chamisa’s Role, Vows United Court Fight to Block CAB3

HARARE - Constitutional law expert and National Constitutional Assembly leader Lovemore Madhuku has dismissed criticism that opposition leader Nelson Chamisa failed to fully back anti-CAB3 campaigns, saying the fight against Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 is “not about individuals or personalities” but a broader democratic struggle. Speaking in an interview with Mopane News, Madhuku said Chamisa “was opposed to it” and is now “speaking with a very clear voice” against the Bill. “There’s a different method and strategy,” Madhuku said. “He might not have been doing it in the manner which people expected. So, I would urge all Zimbabweans that are involved in the struggle against CAB3 to take away focus from individuals and focus on the struggle.” He added that Chamisa “might be privileged that he was the leader at a point when we had the election in 2023, 2018, but you cannot just put the whole fight against CAB3 on his shoulders.” Madhuku described CAB3 as an “unacceptable proposal” that “seeks to undermine what this country stands for” and the constitutional framework. He said the Bill is “meant to please a small section of our population that has acquired so much political power and also amassed so much wealth” and wants to “push through for their interest.” He criticized the parliamentary process as “stage-managed,” citing “meaningless public consultations where opposing views were not heard” and a debate that gave “a chance to few people who will speak against.” “What will happen, clearly and ultimately, CAB3 will be signed into law by the President,” Madhuku said. “We have come now very convinced that we must stop this CAB3 becoming a permanent law in our country.” Rejecting suggestions that opponents of the Bill are divided, Madhuku said there is “a clear common purpose” and “the groups that are opposed to CAB3 they are completely united” that the Bill “must be stopped.”He said the next step will be legal action. “There is only one activity that is going to happen after Parliament is gone through its meaningless activities and purported passing of, we will all go to court,” he said. The aim is to ask the Constitutional Court to “examine CAB3 and determine whether a referendum is required.” “We are hopeful that the Constitutional Court will say so,” Madhuku said. “If we succeed in getting the court in saying a referendum is required… If we fail, then you’ll see the entire position united in campaigning for a No vote at a referendum. ”If the court rules that no referendum is required, Madhuku said opponents will “again see the opposition coming together to deny CAB3 any effect in the country.” He added: “We will resist it, we will ensure that they will be elections in 2028. We will ensure that Zimbabweans will continue to be able to vote for their president.” Madhuku argued that blocking CAB3 must precede other electoral reforms because the Bill “is postponing elections to 2030” and “is the beginning of an undemocratic governance of the country.” “You cannot start discussing or trying to push for those things before you kill CAB3,” he said. “It’s a sequence and a logical framework.” He cited provisions he said reverse electoral safeguards, including voter registration being moved from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to the Registrar General, delimitation of constituencies being taken from an independent body, and the removal of direct voting for the president. “When you are opposing CAB3, you are effectively dealing with electoral reform because these are reversals,” he said. “You have to block that reversal first before you then move on.”