Zimbabwe Constitutional Hearings Marred by Intimidation, Report Finds
A new report by the Alliance for Community Based Organisations has raised concerns over Zimbabwe’s public hearings on the Constitution Amendment Bill No. 3, citing intimidation, restricted participation, and unequal access to expression.
The report found that while the hearings were conducted nationwide and drew large crowds across all provinces, high turnout did not translate into meaningful engagement for many citizens.
According to the findings, several participants were denied access to venues, prevented from speaking, or discouraged from expressing dissenting views, raising questions about the inclusiveness of the process.
The report also highlighted that women and young people, particularly young women, faced heightened barriers and, in some cases, threats or retaliation for attempting to voice their opinions.
Although the hearings met formal procedural requirements, the organization concluded that they fell short of ensuring genuine public participation, a key principle in constitutional reform processes.
The findings add to ongoing concerns among civil society groups about democratic space and citizen engagement in governance processes in Zimbabwe.
