National Assembly in disorder over Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 debate
via NewsDay Zimbabwe4 min read
The National Assembly experienced disorder on Wednesday as Zanu PF and Citizens Coalition for Change CCC legislators clashed over a proposal by CCC MP Edwin Mushoriwa to delete Clause 1 of the Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3. Mushoriwa argued that removing this clause, which contains the Bill's short title, would effectively eliminate the proposed legislation from Parliament. This proposal led to heated exchanges between ruling party and opposition MPs, bringing proceedings to a standstill. Zanu PF MPs resisted the removal of the opening clause, while opposition legislators insisted the Bill should be withdrawn. Debate on the Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 continues amidst divisions regarding its provisions and the process for its passage.
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Zimbabwe and China are working together to strengthen their fight against malaria. In other news, the Constitutional Court dismissed challenges to Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3, while 15,000 drivers were caught in a camera crackdown. Marondera faces a contempt of court charge over a golf course dispute. An investment vision of US$650 million aims to boost confidence in Zimbabwe's long-term growth. An ambassador supports a rabbit export drive as Zimbabwe targets African markets, and the country is preparing for a US$25 million climate recovery initiative. POSB and AFC Insurance have partnered to expand financial inclusion, offering various insurance products including crop and livestock cover. Political tensions at grasslands plots have led to violent attacks and forced evictions. Power outages and raw material shortages have impacted ART operations, with exports and paper divisions seeing volume declines. Stanbic Bank is supporting growth in agriculture, and S&P Global Ratings has assigned Afreximbank an investment-grade rating.
POSB and AFC Insurance have formed a partnership to broaden financial inclusion in Zimbabwe. Through this collaboration, POSB will offer a range of insurance products underwritten by AFC Insurance. These offerings include essential coverage such as crop and livestock insurance, protection for agricultural loans, asset insurance, and goods-in-transit cover. This initiative aims to provide vital financial services to a wider segment of the population, supporting various sectors, particularly agriculture.
Must ReadThe Constitutional Court has dismissed separate legal challenges against Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3. War veterans, represented by constitutional lawyer Lovemore Madhuku, had their application thrown out by Justice Barat Patel, who ruled that the matter did not meet the critical legal requirements for the ConCourt to hear the case. The war veterans had sought to nullify the proposed amendments, arguing the Bill was unconstitutional. In a separate ruling, the court also dismissed an application by Bulawayo legislator Prince Dubeko Sibanda, stating that his challenge was brought prematurely. Madhuku clarified that the court did not rule on the merits of the case but found that the constitutional duties cited in the application were not specific enough for the ConCourt's direct intervention. He indicated that the matter should first be heard by a lower court, such as the High Court, before potentially proceeding to the apex court through the normal appeal process.