HARARE – The Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference (ZCBC) has called on Parliament to reject key provisions of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill, 2025, warning that the proposed law undermines democracy and the sovereignty of the people.
In a submission dated 12 May 2026 titled “In Defence of Truth, Justice, and the Voice of the People”, the bishops said several clauses in “CAB3” weaken institutional independence, diminish direct democratic participation, and erode safeguards against the abuse of power.
“The Constitution is more than a legal instrument. It is a solemn national covenant born out of the sacrifices, aspirations, and sovereign will of the people of Zimbabwe,” the ZCBC said.
“Amendments must strengthen rather than weaken democratic safeguards.”
The bishops singled out Clause 2, which seeks to abolish direct presidential elections.
Under current law, Section 92 of the Constitution provides for the President to be elected by registered voters through universal adult suffrage and a secret ballot.
CAB3 proposes replacing this with a system in which Parliament, sitting jointly as the Senate and National Assembly, elects the President.
The ZCBC said direct elections give practical expression to popular sovereignty, equality of votes, and democratic accountability.
The Conference also raised an alarm over the public consultation process.
It cited reports of intimidation, suppression of dissenting voices, disruptions, and unequal participation during CAB3 hearings.
Section 141 of the Constitution obliges Parliament to facilitate meaningful public participation, the bishops noted.
“This obligation is not procedural formality but an expression of democratic sovereignty itself.”
Consultation, they said, must be free, inclusive, peaceful, transparent, and genuinely participatory.
The ZCBC stressed it was intervening “not as a political actor, but as a moral and civic voice” concerned with human dignity, constitutionalism, and the common good.
The submission was signed by five senior clerics: Archbishop of Harare R.C. Ndlovu, Archbishop of Bulawayo Alex Thomas, Bishop of Hwange and ZCBC Secretary Raphael Ncube, Bishop of Mutare Paul Horan, and Bishop of Gokwe Eusebius Nyathi.
Parliament has been holding nationwide hearings on CAB3.
The Bill has drawn criticism from lawyers and civil society groups who argue that some clauses reverse gains made in the 2013 Constitution.
