Harare – Opposition party People’s Unity Party (PUP) leader Herbert Chamuka has urged citizens to desist from violence, as some activist groups are planning a demonstration against the Constitution Amendment Act number 3 (CAB3) on 31 July.
The CAB3 was enacted into law by President Emmerson Mnangagwa on 7 July.
The Act extends the presidential, parliamentary, and local authorities’ term limits from five to seven years. It also replaces the direct popular election of the president with election by a joint sitting of parliament.
The government has said law enforcement agencies are on high alert ahead of the planned protest.
Addressing journalists yesterday Chamuka said protesters were expected to stage the demonstration before CAB3 was signed into law.
“They were supposed to demonstrate before CAB3 was signed into law to show their dissatisfaction,” Chamuka said.
“Their silence before it was an Act showed they were supporting it. It is now an Act, and everyone must just embrace it.”
He encouraged Zimbabweans in South Africa to return home and work towards Vision 2030, which he says holds a bright future for Zimbabwe.
“Vision 2030 promises a better Zimbabwean economy, and for that to be attained, we must be united as a people,” he said.
He added that his party is in support of CAB3 urging that it curbs political disputes which he says have historically caused divisions among Zimbabweans.
“As PUP, we are supporting the Act because we see that it avoids political disputes. If parliamentarians vote on behalf of their constituencies there is no room for rigging,” he said.