Hatcliffe MP Agency Gumbo (CCC) has warned that the Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 risks undermining national development by placing too much weight on individuals rather than on strong institutions.
Speaking during the parliamentary debate on the proposed changes, Gumbo said the Constitution should establish institutions capable of sustaining national programmes beyond any one leader’s term.
He said backers of the Bill have argued the amendments would ensure continuity and help deliver national goals, including Vision 2030.
Gumbo, however, warned against tying the success of those programmes to specific office holders remaining in post.
“If national visions depend upon the continuity of particular office holders, then what we have is not institutional development but personalised development,” said Gumbo.
He argued that the country’s development agenda should not rise or fall with a change of leader.
“A national vision should belong to the nation. It should survive presidents, parliaments, changes in governance and any partisan government,” Gumbo said.
Gumbo said Botswana, Ghana and Mauritius showed what was possible when institutions, not personalities, drove development.
“The Constitution should strengthen institutions so that national development survives leadership change,” said Gumbo.
“It should not alter constitutional safeguards so that leadership survives beyond ordinarily set term limits.”
He warned against weakening the Constitution under the pretext of pursuing development.
“Zimbabwe does not have to choose between democracy and development. Zimbabweans deserve both,” he said.
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