(Last Updated on April 24, 2021 by GERALD NCUBE)
BULAWAYO – Lawyer Nqobani Sithole has filed a Constitutional Court application challenging Constitutional Amendment Bill number one which sailed through the Senate earlier this month.
On 6 April, ZANU-PF Senators with the help of MDC-T members of the Senate led by Douglas Mwonzora passed the amendment which has since been challenged by Sithole.
In his application, the Bulawayo based lawyer argues that the passing of the bill by the senate was unconstitutional since it crossed over two parliaments hence violating section 147 of the Constitution.
The cited sections reads: “On the dissolution of parliament, all proceedings pending at the time are terminated, and every bill, motion, petition and other business lapses.”
The said amendment together with Constitutional amendment Bill No 2 are seen as efforts to concentrate power within the President since they will give President Mnangagwa sweeping powers to appoint judges without going through the public interview process among other things.
Analysts say this poses a serious threat to democracy in the country.