The
Bill,
which,
among
other
things,
seeks
to
extend
the
terms
of
the
president,
MPs,
and
councillors
from
five
to
seven
years,
has
sparked
a
wave
of
intimidation
against
activists
and
civic
leaders.
Several
people,
including
law
professor
Lovemore
Madhuku,
have
been
assaulted
by
unknown
assailants,
allegedly
as
police
looked
on.
Ethan
Mathibela,
chairperson
of
the
Zimbabwe
National
Liberation
War
Veterans
Association
(ZNLWVA),
told Zimbabwe
Independent that
any
constitutional
change
must
be
driven
by
the
people,
not
the
elites.
Mathibela
added
that
war
veterans
are
stepping
up
efforts
to
reach
grassroots
communities
and
urged
all
Zimbabweans,
from
every
walk
of
life,
to
defend
the
Constitution.
Said
Mathibela:
“Constitutional
defence
is
a
national
duty.
This
is
not
solely
the
responsibility
of
opposition
parties.“While
the
opposition
plays
a
role,
civil
society,
war
veterans,
churches
and
ordinary
citizens
must
collectively
rise
to
the
occasion.
The
issue
transcends
party
politics.“We
believe
regional
bodies,
such
as
SADC,
have
a
responsibility
to
uphold
democratic
principles
in
member
states.“Engagement
is
important,
but
ultimately,
the
protection
of
the
constitution
rests
with
Zimbabweans
themselves.
SADC
can
support,
but
it
cannot
substitute
the
will
of
the
people.“The
level
of
public
engagement
so
far
has
been
inadequate.
Many
citizens
remain
unaware
of
the
full
implications
of
the
Bill.“Our
association
is
intensifying
efforts
to
reach
grassroots
communities,
ensuring
that
people
understand
what
is
at
stake
and
can
participate
meaningfully.”