Senate Passes Controversial Amendment Bill No.2

By Lloyd Takawira

The Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 2 yesterday sailed through Senate scrapping the Presidential running mate clause.

Sixty five Senators voted in favour with ten against.

The Bill amongst other things seeks to remove the running-mates clause from the Constitution, giving the President the discretion to appoint judges.

It has however been roundly condemned as archaic and creating an imperial president.

After a majority sail in parliament which saw ZANU PF MPs and some MDC-T mps voting for the bill . The bill went for voting in Senate in which only ten legislators rejected the Bill, while five recursed themselves.

The opposition MDC-T led by Mr Douglas Mwonzora got a strong bashing and a barrage of critisism for it’s support of the bill both parliament and sanate .

However their argument has been that, the ruling Zanu PF party enjoys 2/3 majority hence it is difficult for them. The opposition MDC-T also argues that the wholesome nature of the bill made it impossible for their legislators to choose.

Speaking to state broadcaster ZBC after the voting process, Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Ziyambi Ziyambi said his party Zanu PF was happy with the voting.

“It was way above the 54 threshold that is required to have the majority (two-thirds). We are happy that the Senate has passed the Bill. It will now allow us as a government and country to move forward.

“We are now going to remove the contentious running-mates clause, it was badly written. It’s a joyous occasion for us,” he said.

Observers and legal experts’ have argue that the Amendment Bill No.2 is unconstitutional as some of it’s dictates required referendum.