Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3) has received support from at least three provinces, Mashonaland West, Manicaland and Bulawayo, with political analysts saying the proposed amendments strengthen provincial councils and deepen devolution without destabilising the national executive structure.
In interviews with this publication, several analysts described the Bill as a pragmatic refinement of the 2013 Constitution, particularly in its effort to clarify the roles and responsibilities of provincial authorities.
Mashonaland West-based political analyst, Michael Huzva said CAB3 addresses long-standing administrative ambiguities between provincial affairs ministers and elected provincial councils.
“The Bill clarifies the relationship between provincial affairs ministers and elected provincial councils, ending long-standing operational ambiguities.
“CAB3 removes unnecessary friction. It ensures accountability flows clearly from the provincial level to the centre without undermining local development agendas. This is not a power grab; it is good governance,” Huzva said.
In Bulawayo, Timothy Gasva, an analyst specializing in local governance, commended the Bill’s provisions on fiscal devolution.
He argued that CAB3 empowers provincial councils to manage their budgets more directly while retaining necessary oversight.
“For too long, provinces have been mere administrative appendages. CAB3 transforms them into genuine development hubs. It strikes the right balance between autonomy and national cohesion,” Gasva stated.
In Manicaland, governance expert, Mary Muzuwi praised the Bill’s contribution to political stability.
She said the amendments reduce potential legal conflicts between different layers of government, allowing for smoother implementation of health, education, and infrastructure projects.
“CAB3 is a forward-looking instrument. It does not dilute the presidency or parliament, instead, it creates a predictable legal environment for service delivery at the grassroots.
“I urge parliament to expedite the Bill’s enactment to unlock provincial development funds already allocated in the national budget,” Muzuwi said.
Meanwhile, Parliament has adjourned debate on the Bill and is expected to resume deliberations tomorrow as discussions continue.
