- Details
- Written by: Rumbidzai Thelma Chidewu
- Category: ZEXIT
- Hits: 362
Why Amendment No. 3 is a Heartbreak for Zimbabwe
When we look at the red "WITHDRAW" sign on the Constitution Defenders Forum poster, we aren't just looking at a political slogan. We are looking at a desperate shield against a legislative spear aimed directly at the heart of our democracy: our right to choose our leaders and the independence of the courts that protect us.As Zimbabweans, our emotions are raw because Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3) isn't a "refinement"of the law—it is a dismantling of the 2013 promise.
The Stolen Vote: From People to Parliament
The most painful part of this bill is the proposal to scrap the direct popular election of the President. For decades, the "One Person, One Vote" principle was the crown jewel of our liberation struggle.
We stood in rain and sun to cast our ballots, believing that our individual voices mattered. If this bill passes, the President will be chosen by a joint sitting of Parliament. This shifts the power from the hands of 16 million Zimbabweans into the hands of a few hundred politicians. It feels like our citizenship is being downgraded; we are being told that we are no longer trusted to choose our own leader. This isn't just a policy change; it is an emotional eviction from our own democracy.
- Details
- Written by: John C Burke
- Category: ZEXIT
- Hits: 40
Harare's Broken Sewage System: A Public Health Crisis Rooted in Decades of Neglect
1. The Infrastructure: Built for a City That No Longer Exists
As ZHRO we have been acutely aware of this failed Infrastructure Issue for some time - we even posted a proposal to the then Foreign Office to sponsor a rebuilding project [November 2018] - specifically the Sewage System
The origins of Harare's sewage and water crisis lie in a fundamental mismatch between infrastructure age and population scale. The infrastructure for piped water in Harare was developed in the 1950s, before Zimbabwe's independence in 1980, and designed for a population of 300,000 people. Currently, Harare's greater metropolitan area has about 4.5 million people, more than half of whom have no access to clean water and are at risk of waterborne diseases such as cholera and typhoid. Human Rights Watch
For almost two decades after Zimbabwe's independence in 1980, Harare's water and sanitation infrastructure ran relatively smoothly. Human Rights Watch However, the piped infrastructure has not been maintained. The result of deterioration of the system combined with a significant increase in the population is that the water now runs only sporadically and is often contaminated. Human Rights Watch
- Details
- Written by: Gladys Kajawo
- Category: ZEXIT
- Hits: 48
A Petition to 10 Downing Street: Challenging the Legitimacy of Cab3
A growing number of Zimbabweans in the diaspora alongside Supporters of democratic Governance are raising serious concerns about the structure and legitimacy of what has come to be known as Cab3. This petition [from ZHRO] is to be submitted to 10 Downing Street, calls for urgent scrutiny arguing that this body is fundamentally unconstitutional and undermines the principle it claims to be uphold.
At the heart of the criticism is the assertion that cab3 does not derive its authority from any transparent democratic or 'Constitutionally recognised'.
The process apprears to be a self constituted entity, lacking accountability and operation outside the framework that govern legitimate political representation. This raises troubling question about its mandate decision making process and who it truly represents.
Many critics argue that cabs structure mirrors the very Governance style, Zimbabweans have long resisted, rather than embodying democratic renewal -- its risks replicating centralised personality driven model of leadership one that priorities authority over accountability. Comparisons have been drawn to longstanding concerns about entrenched power in Zimbabwe politics were leadership is matained through assertion rather than consent.
This petition to the UK is urging officials to take these concerns seriously. As a Country that often positions itself as a supporter of democratic value and good Governance, The United Kingdom is being asked to critically assess any engagement with bodies whose legitimacy is in question. Recognition on informed endorsement of such entities. The petition argues risks undermining genuine democratic efforts and silencing credible voices within the Zimbabwe Community.
More importantly, it is not simply a political disagreement --- it is a Constitutional issue ,legitimacy in Governance depends on clear process accountability mechanisms and the consent of the governed without these, any claim to authority becomes questionable at best and harmful at worst.
The petition also reflects a broader restoration within the diaspora a desire for transparent inclusive leadership that genuinely reflects the aspirations of Zimbabweans both at home and abroad. Many feel that structure like Cab3 risk derailing progress by creating confusion division and competing claims to authority.
One thing remains clear calls for the accountability Constitutional integrity and democratic legitimacy are not going away.whether through petitions and advocacy or public hearings. Zimbabweans and their allies are demanding better and they are asking the international Community to pay attention.
- Details
- Written by: Shorayi Spencer Guzha
- Category: ZEXIT
- Hits: 110
Defending Zimbabwe’s Constitution Is a Personal Duty
Defending Zimbabwe’s Constitution is not an abstract legal debate for me, it is a deeply personal obligation shaped by lived experience and the growing dangers faced by those who speak out. The Constitution, adopted in 2013 after extensive public consultation, was meant to protect citizens from the abuse of power, guarantee democratic renewal, and place clear limits on political authority. Today, those protections are under serious threat. The push commonly referred to as “Agenda 2030”, which seeks to extend the current president’s tenure beyond constitutionally prescribed limits, represents one of the most significant challenges to Zimbabwe’s democratic framework since independence. This agenda is not merely about development timelines or continuity; it is about weakening constitutional safeguards designed to prevent indefinite rule.
Zimbabwe’s Constitution is clear. The presidency is limited to two five-year terms. This provision was deliberately crafted to ensure accountability and peaceful transfers of power. Any attempt to extend a sitting president’s stay in office — whether by delaying elections, redefining term lengths, or manipulating amendment procedures — undermines both the letter and the spirit of the Constitution. As a citizen who has followed these debates closely, I am persuaded by constitutional lawyers and civic scholars who argue that changes affecting presidential tenure require broad public consent through a national referendum. Parliament alone cannot legitimately rewrite the people’s social contract to benefit those already in power. The Constitution belongs to Zimbabweans, not to a ruling elite.
- Details
- Written by: Kelvin Mhlanga
- Category: ZEXIT
- Hits: 1138
No to 2030:
Diaspora Protesters in Blackburn Challenge Zimbabwe’s Political Future
Saturday the 28th 2026 in Blackburn, Zimbabwean activists and allies gathered for a peaceful Walk for Freedom, united by growing concern over the political direction of Zimbabwe under Emmerson Mnangagwa and ZANU-PF. Though held in the United Kingdom, the message was clear: the struggle for democracy in Zimbabwe does not stop at its borders.
Zimbabwe remains a country where opposing the ruling party carries real risks. Reports of intimidation, arbitrary arrests, and the suppression of dissent continue to shape the political environment. For many, speaking out is no longer simply a right—it is a calculated risk.
Human rights organisations have also documented reported abductions of activists and opposition figures over several years. Victims are often taken by unidentified individuals, sometimes found injured, or in some cases not found at all. While authorities deny involvement, observers point to a recurring pattern, particularly during times of political tension. What has changed is visibility. With the rise of smartphones and social media, incidents that once went unnoticed are now being documented and shared widely. This raises an important question: how many cases occurred before this level of exposure existed?
A key concern raised during the walk was the proposed “2030 agenda,” which could allow Emmerson Mnangagwa to remain in power beyond constitutional limits. For many this represents a threat to democratic principles and accountability.
Participants rejected this direction clearly:
- No to 2030.
- No to extending power beyond the constitution.
The demonstration was peaceful but purposeful. It reflected a diaspora that remains deeply connected to the realities back home and unwilling to remain silent.
The message from Blackburn was simple:
- Zimbabwe’s future must be built on accountability,
- respect for constitutional limits,
- and the protection of fundamental freedoms.
Zimbabwe will be free—and no extension of power will silence that demand.