Chaos briefly erupted at a public hearing on Constitution Amendment No. 3 Bill held at the City Sports Centre, in Harare, after lawyer and politician Douglas Coltart distributed money to participants in a deliberate attempt to influence proceedings against the proposed legislation.
The hearing, which attracted a large and diverse crowd, forms part of nationwide consultations aimed at gathering public input on the proposed legislation. Proceedings were temporarily disrupted after Coltart was observed handing cash to selected attendees to steer them toward criticising the Bill. The conduct provoked an immediate reaction from fellow participants, who confronted him directly, triggering a brief but visible commotion before organisers restored order and resumed the session.
The incident drew sharp condemnation from members of the public present, who described the interference as a direct assault on the integrity of the consultative process that the nation has invested in.
Tawanda Moyo, one of the participants, was unequivocal in his assessment.
“This is a national programme that must be respected. People should be allowed to speak freely without being influenced in any way,” he said, reflecting the indignation felt across the room.
Rudo Chikowore went further, pointing to the broader damage such conduct inflicts on democratic processes.
“We came here to give our honest views. If people are being given money to say certain things, then it defeats the whole purpose of these hearings,” she said. Her words captured a sentiment shared by many who had travelled to participate in good faith.
Blessing Dube called for institutional accountability and tighter oversight at all remaining hearings across the country.
“The authorities must ensure that these hearings are conducted in a fair and orderly manner. The outcome should reflect the genuine will of the people,” he said, underscoring the stakes involved in allowing the process to be compromised.
Despite the disruption engineered by Coltart, the majority of participants who took part expressed firm support for the Bill, demonstrating that the attempt to tilt opinion had failed.
Public hearings on the Bill continue across the country as part of a broad effort to promote citizen participation in the legislative process. Authorities have reiterated calls for order and for contributions to be made freely, without external pressure or financial inducement.
Meanwhile, the events in Harare serve as a stark reminder that the credibility of public consultations depends on the conduct of all who participate, and that attempts to subvert them will not go unnoticed.
