PARLIAMENT’S public consultation process, which commenced on Monday, is a fraudulent scam that reflects the desperation and moral bankruptcy of the ragtag team pushing Agenda 2030.
Through capture, coercion and brute force, the regime intends to manufacture a false consensus — a fakery that citizens are behind the grotesque piece of legislation now known as Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3, or CAB3.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Zimbabweans in their millions — bar a malicious, crooked few corrupted by bandits and gangsters, or driven by insatiable personal ambition — are vehemently and vigorously opposed to the cabbage.
Monday began with abductions.
Kingjoy Sibanda, a youth leader from Bulawayo, was abducted by five men who bundled him into an unmarked white double-cab vehicle. Denford Sithole, another Bulawayo youth, was similarly seized and thrown into another white double-cab. Tafara Magodora, a student leader from Bindura University, was abducted at a bus stop by the same ubiquitous characters.
The systematic use of abductions and forced disappearances is a natural feature of this regime — from Rashiwe Guzha to Itai Dzamara, to the thousands who vanished during Gukurahundi.
Then came the consultations. They were nothing but a farcical grand heist.
In Bulawayo, a city of more than a million people, only two venues were provided — the Large City Hall and Nketa Hall. By 6AM, the City Hall was packed with people whom genuine local residents could not identify. Many were later caught on camera trudging back home after being used as props by a desperate regime and its billionaire financiers.
The meeting started late, and in less than two hours it was brought to an abrupt end. By that point, only 36 people had spoken. Twenty-eight mumbled near-identical, barely coherent submissions to the effect that the president must be allowed to “finish his projects.” Eight firmly rejected the Cabbage.
The chairperson carefully selected who to recognise. Clenched fists and three raised fingers were the identity card. Democrats were left stunned.
Bulawayo mayor David Coltart and the revered Judith Todd could not believe the extent of the bias. His Worship raised his hand repeatedly, to the point of cramping. He even rose to his full 1.82m frame — but the chair ignored him absolutely.
Citizens were left fuming in absolute disgust, having just witnessed the slow unfolding of a grand heist. The evolution of an unconstitutional constitutional coup.
At Nketa, the mood was different — charged and electric, but no less troubling. Speakers stood one after the other, regurgitating the same tune like a broken vinyl record on repeat. But when Constitutional Defender and CDF Zimbabwe member Sheila M. eloquently dismantled the Cabbage, all hell broke loose. The meeting deteriorated and the hired crowd imploded.
Sheila was assaulted and presently requires urgent medical attention. Several others were also attacked, including defender Kudzi Maponde. The meeting adjourned after just 30 submissions.
In the whole of Bulawayo — Zimbabwe’s second largest city — fewer than 70 people were heard, each given a mere three minutes. Parliament has failed to fulfil its constitutional obligation of reasonable and adequate public consultation.
Chiredzi was yet another disaster. Only Zanu PF loyalists, identified by their three-finger raised hand, were permitted to speak. Former student leader Gilbert Mutebuki was severely assaulted, with a knife used to slash his thigh. Two of his colleagues are feared abducted, their whereabouts currently unknown.
Dema and Chitungwiza were no exceptions. The Chitungwiza Aquatic Centre meeting was an absolute joke — only 15 citizens spoke, presided over by an “opposition MP” whose bias was an embarrassment to behold.
The first day of the hearings has proven that Zanu PF has neither shame nor restraint. This process is a fraud and a sham. But we shall continue to expose it through our presence and our resistance. History will judge them.
Tendai Biti is a lawyer and convener of the Constitutional Defenders Forum
The post A grand heist: Parliament’s sham consultation process appeared first on Zimbabwe News Now.