Source: CAB 3 row reaches boiling point -Newsday Zimbabwe

TENSIONS have escalated between Zanu PF and CCC self-styled secretary-general Sengezo Tshabangu ahead of a crucial Senate vote on Constitution Amendment No 3 Bill (CAB 3), amid reports that negotiations over his continued support have stalled.

CAB 3 was tabled in the Senate yesterday for the first and second readings. The Bill last week sailed through in the National Assembly with the backing of 34 legislators aligned to Tshabangu, helping Zanu PF to secure the required two-thirds majority.

The Bill seeks to extend the terms of office for senior judges and delay the implementation of provisions requiring elected local authority mayors and running mates for presidential candidates.

However, sources familiar with the talks said Tshabangu’s camp is threatening what it calls a “nuclear option” that could complicate Zanu PF’s efforts to secure Senate approval.

Zanu PF controls 33 Senate seats, while the opposition holds 26 elected seats. The Upper House also has 18 traditional chiefs and two senators representing persons with disabilities. CAB 3 requires 54 votes to pass.

NewsDay understands that Zanu PF secretary-general Jacob Mudenda and other senior ruling party officials have been leading negotiations with Tshabangu’s camp.

Contacted for comment, Mudenda declined to discuss the matter.

“I do not comment on such things,” he said.

Tshabangu’s spokesperson, Nqobizitha Mlilo, confirmed that discussions were ongoing but warned that patience was wearing thin in their camp.

“We have met, are meeting and continue to engage. We do not want to be put in a position where we activate the nuclear option,” Mlilo said.

“Our requests are politically reasonable. We expect our colleagues to act in the national interest and not take us for granted. The nuclear option remains available.

“We are engaged in substantive dialogue, but dialogue cannot be endless and repetitive. Our demands are reasonable, patriotic, legally sound and in the national interest. If Zanu PF chooses to stall, we are fully prepared to deploy our definitive political leverage.”

Sources close to the negotiations said Tshabangu’s demands effectively amounted to influence over key government ministries, including Education, Public Service, Health and Foreign Affairs.

Mlilo, however, insisted the focus was on governance reforms rather than positions.

“We want a government of national consensus anchored by a National Governance Covenant,” he said.

“The covenant should focus on six priorities: free quality education; free quality healthcare; social grants for the elderly, vulnerable women and children; improved working conditions for public servants through a living wage and adequate tools of trade; a pan-African, multi-vector foreign policy; and protection of citizens’ civil and political rights as guaranteed by the Constitution.

“These are our primary demands. If they are not met, we will activate the nuclear option.”

The post CAB 3 row reaches boiling point appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.