A group of six liberation war veterans in Zimbabwe has issued a scathing open letter to Parliament’s presiding officers, demanding the immediate suspension of Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3). The veterans allege that the bill’s passage was “fundamentally flawed, substantively unconstitutional and procedurally fraudulent”.
The group, including Reuben Zulu and Godfrey Gurira, addressed their concerns to Speaker Jacob Mudenda and Senate President Mabel Chinomona, asserting that the legislative process was “criminally contaminated” by inducements. They cited reports of some Members of Parliament receiving vehicles and cash, including US$10,000 each, in exchange for supporting the Bill.
At the core of their challenge is the argument that CAB3 violates Section 328 of the Constitution, which prevents incumbent presidents from benefiting from term extensions without a mandatory national referendum. The veterans contend that the Bill attempts to circumvent these protections without seeking voter approval. They have given the presiding officers 72 hours to act, warning that votes “bought by cash and keys” cannot be considered constitutionally valid.
Key Players Involved
- Reuben Zulu & Godfrey Gurira (and four others): Liberation war veterans leading the challenge.
- Jacob Mudenda: Speaker of the Zimbabwean Parliament.
- Mabel Chinomona: Senate President of Zimbabwe.
- Members of Parliament: Alleged recipients of inducements to support CAB3.
Event Timeline
- August 18, 2026: War veterans issue open letter demanding suspension of CAB3 proceedings.
- June 2026: Veterans’ initial application to the Constitutional Court to stop the amendment process was dismissed on procedural grounds.
