The Senate is expected to begin deliberations on Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 today, with Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi scheduled to deliver the Second Reading speech that will formally open debate in the Upper House.
The proposed legislation cleared the National Assembly last week after receiving overwhelming support from legislators across both the ruling Zanu PF party and members of the opposition CCC. A total of 216 lawmakers voted in favour of the Bill, while 42 opposed it, comfortably surpassing the constitutional requirement of a two-thirds majority, which stands at 187 votes.
During his presentation, Minister Ziyambi is expected to explain the purpose of the proposed amendments and the reasoning behind the changes contained in the Bill.
Following the Second Reading stage, senators will move into the committee phase, where each provision of the Bill will be examined and debated individually.
Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Eddison Zvobgo Jr., said he anticipated a smooth passage of the Bill through the Senate.
“The Bill will be read for the second time and they (Senators) will debate the Bill. Our hope is for the debate to move fast and get finished this week. We hope that they go into vote like what happened in the National Assembly last week. Indications are that the presiders also want it to move in that direction, but it will depend on the number of Senators who would want to contribute.
“Remember, the Senate has politicians and politicians by nature, given the opportunity, they would want to speak. It is possible that all Senators may want to speak during the debate and it will determine the day of voting for the Bill,” he said.
Cde Zvobgo appealed to members of Parliament to support the legislative process by ensuring that proceedings are completed within the anticipated timeframe.
“We ask for their co-operation and a bit of help from them for the Bill to move. If there are changes to what has been done in the National Assembly, the Bill will be sent back for reconciliation. If there are no changes, it will then go for Third Reading and to the President for his assent”.
Minister Ziyambi previously indicated that he did not expect debate on the Bill in the Senate to take an extended period.
“Once the debate is exhausted, we then respond and proceed to the committee stage, where we will look at it, clause by clause. Once that is done, we then do the process that you witnessed in the National Assembly of voting to ensure that we satisfy the two-thirds majority required by the Constitution,” he said.
He explained that once the Senate completes the voting process, the Bill will be forwarded to President Emmerson Mnangagwa for assent.
Expressing confidence in the outcome, Minister Ziyambi said senators were already familiar with the contents of the legislation due to extensive discussions that have taken place.
“We are very confident because the Bill has been widely debated. The majority of Honourable members are fully up to speed with the contents and the substance of the Bill. So, we are confident that we are going to sail through in the Senate,” Minister Ziyambi said.
During debate in the National Assembly, lawmakers successfully pushed for the removal of a proposal that sought to dissolve the Zimbabwe Gender Commission and transfer its responsibilities to the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission.
Members argued that the Gender Commission should continue operating as a standalone constitutional institution tasked with advancing gender equality and protecting the rights of women.
The National Assembly also approved changes to provisions dealing with the appointment of senators. Under the amended clause, the President will appoint 10 senators based on their professional expertise and competencies, following consultation with Parliament.
