By Staff Reporter
Mbizo legislator Corban Madzivanyika has strongly condemned the violent disruption of a Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Bill No.3 Parliamentary public hearing in Kwekwe, describing the assault of former deputy mayor Melody Chingarande as a direct attack on democracy.
In a statement issued yesterday following chaotic scene at Kwekwe Theatre, Madzivanyika said the incident undermined the very essence of public participation in law-making processes.
“The violent disruption of a parliamentary public hearing in Kwekwe, marked by the verbal and physical assault of Melody Chingarande, is a grave and unacceptable attack on democratic participation in public hearings conducted under the authority of the Parliament of Zimbabwe,” he said.
He stressed that public hearings are constitutionally mandated platforms meant to amplify citizens’ voices, warning that any form of intimidation threatens the country’s democratic foundations.
“Public hearings are constitutional platforms designed to give citizens a voice in shaping legislation. Any act of intimidation, harassment, or violence at such a forum is not only an assault on an individual but a direct attack on the democratic rights of all Zimbabweans,” said Madzivanyika.
The Mbizo MP said the violence witnessed at Kwekwe Theatre risked silencing citizens through fear.
“The actions witnessed in Kwekwe undermine the integrity of public consultations and threaten to silence citizens through fear. This must be condemned in the strongest possible terms,” he said.
“No individual should be subjected to abuse for exercising their constitutional right to participate in national processes, worse still a lady who is also a former councillor.”
Madzivanyika called for swift action against those responsible, urging authorities to guarantee the safety of citizens during national processes.
“There must be an immediate and transparent investigation into this incident, and all perpetrators must be held fully accountable under the law. Authorities must ensure that adequate security measures are in place going forward to protect citizens and uphold the sanctity of parliamentary processes,” he said.
“Zimbabwe cannot claim to uphold democratic values while citizens are assaulted for engaging in lawful civic participation.”
Chingarande was assaulted after she reportedly opposed aspects of the Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3, arguing that proposed changes should not benefit the current office bearer but instead apply to a future president.
According to her account, she was booed by sections of the audience before being attacked after insisting on her right to speak. She later filed a police report at Kwekwe Central Police Station and received treatment at Kwekwe General Hospital.
Meanwhile, Madzivanyika also raised alarm over a separate incident of alleged political violence in Gokwe Central, where he said the home of Hope Shava, a 2023 election contestant, was attacked.
“In a separate incident in Gokwe Central, Hon Hope Shava, who contested in the 2023 elections, had his house windows shattered in the early hours of today,” he said.
Madzivanyika said the incidents point to a worrying pattern.
“This concludes beyond any doubt that the public hearings are not open, especially from the Midlands,” he said.
The disturbances come as parliamentary outreach programmes to gather public views on the proposed constitutional amendments continue across the country.
