What is in the CAB3 Amendment document simply explained

Simple Explanation of CAB3

• President elected by Parliament, not the public
  • Instead of citizens voting directly for President, Members of Parliament (MPs) would elect the President by majority vote.
  • Implication: Voters would only choose MPs. The President's election would depend on Parliament.
• Terms extended from 5 years to 7 years
  • The President and Parliament would serve seven-year terms instead of five. The amendment also says this applies to current office holders.
  • Implication: Elections would happen less often, giving governments more time to implement policies but reducing how often voters can elect new leaders.
• President appoints 10 extra Senators
  • The Senate would increase from 80 to 90 members, with 10 appointed by the President for their expertise.
  • Implication: The President would have greater influence in the Senate.
• Election management changes
  • A new Zimbabwe Electoral Delimitation Commission would handle constituency boundaries.
  • The Registrar-General would take over voter registration and maintaining the voters' roll from the electoral commission.
  • Implication: Electoral responsibilities would be split between different institutions.
• Constitutional Court powers expanded
  • The Court could hear other important legal matters, not just constitutional cases.
  • Implication: The Court would have a broader role in deciding major legal questions.
• Judicial appointments changed
  • Judges and the Prosecutor-General would be appointed after consultation rather than on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission.
  • Implication: The Judicial Service Commission would have less influence over these appointments.
• Gender Commission abolished
  • The Zimbabwe Gender Commission would be removed, with its duties transferred to the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission.
  • Implication: Gender-related work would be handled by the Human Rights Commission instead of a separate body.
• National Peace and Reconciliation Commission abolished
  • The Commission would be removed from the Constitution.
  • Implication: The Constitution would no longer provide for this independent commission.
• Traditional leaders
  • Restrictions in the Constitution on traditional leaders would be removed, with their code of conduct left to an Act of Parliament.
  • Implication: Rules governing traditional leaders could be changed more easily through ordinary legislation.
• Other technical changes
  • Updates to the Attorney-General's qualifications, Defence Forces wording, Vice-President references, and other constitutional provisions to reflect the new framework.

Overall Overview

The Bill would make some of the biggest constitutional changes since the 2013 Constitution. The main effects are:

• Parliament, rather than the public, would choose the President.
• The President and Parliament would serve longer seven-year terms.
• The President would gain more appointment powers.
• Several independent commissions would be abolished or have their responsibilities moved to other institutions.
• Election administration and judicial appointment processes would be reorganised.

Read about the official signing of CAB3 into law by President Mnangagwa.