Constitution Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3)

The Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill, officially titled the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill, 2026 (H.B. 1 of 2026), and known colloquially as CAB3, is a proposed constitutional amendment bill introduced in the Parliament of Zimbabwe in February 2026. The Bill seeks to make wide-ranging changes to the 2013 Constitution, including replacing the direct popular election of the President with election by a joint sitting of Parliament, extending the terms of office of the President, Parliament and local authorities from five to seven years, enlarging the Senate and allowing the President to appoint ten additional senators on the basis of professional skills, establishing a new Zimbabwe Electoral Delimitation Commission, transferring responsibility for the voters’ roll to the Registrar-General, and repealing the Zimbabwe Gender Commission and the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission. The Bill was published in a Government Gazette Extraordinary on 16 February 2026, triggering the debate in the Parliament of Zimbabwe. The debate has been marred by controversy, with some MPs citing death threats and security fears, while others have expressed concerns about the potential impact on the country's democratic institutions. According to a joint statement by Women of Zimbabwe and ACTSA, the Bill 'poses a significant threat to the rights and freedoms of Zimbabweans' and 'should be rejected in its entirety.' The debate is ongoing, with the outcome uncertain. The proposed changes to the Constitution have sparked intense debate and discussion among Zimbabweans, with some arguing that they are necessary to strengthen the country's democratic institutions, while others believe they will undermine the rights and freedoms of citizens. The Bill has been the subject of intense scrutiny, with many observers expressing concerns about its potential impact on the country's democratic processes. The debate is a critical moment in Zimbabwe's democratic history, with the outcome having significant implications for the country's future.

The proposed changes to the Constitution of Zimbabwe have significant cultural and political implications for the country. The Bill seeks to extend the terms of office of the President, Parliament and local authorities from five to seven years, which has sparked concerns about the potential for authoritarianism and the erosion of democratic institutions. The Bill also seeks to enlarge the Senate and allow the President to appoint ten additional senators on the basis of professional skills, which has raised questions about the potential for the President to dominate the Senate and undermine the independence of Parliament. The debate is a critical moment in Zimbabwe's democratic history, with the outcome having significant implications for the country's future. According to a statement by the Churches, they 'urge peace, unity as Parliament debates CAB3.' The debate is a complex and multifaceted issue, with different stakeholders having different perspectives and interests. The outcome will depend on a range of factors, including the views of MPs, the level of public engagement, and the role of civil society organizations. The proposed changes to the Constitution have significant implications for the country's democratic institutions and the rights and freedoms of citizens. The debate is a critical moment in Zimbabwe's democratic history, with the outcome having significant implications for the country's future.