<\/p>\n
As winter fast approaches and the first orange aloes come into flower, there\u2019s a cool wind tugging at the banners that have been hung across the highways in our towns.<\/p>\n
Winter is not the only thing sending a chill to our bones this May 2026 \u2013 the banners promote the ruling political party\u2019s proposed amendments to the Constitution.<\/p>\n
Read:<\/p>\n
Zimbabwe: Ghost birds, frogs and men with whips
\nThe fish, the crumbs and the politicians
\n90 days to stop the coup on Zimbabwe\u2019s constitution<\/p>\n
The banners are not saying: Protect our Constitution, Protect one man one vote, Protect democracy, or Protect referendums. Instead they are saying: \u2018Constitutional Amendment Bill No 3. Putting development ahead of politics\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u2018Development ahead of politics\u2019 they say, not mentioning they want to increase presidential terms to seven years and take away the right of 16 million people to vote for the president, and give it to 300 MPs and senators in parliament instead.<\/p>\n
\u2018Development ahead of politics\u2019 they say, while we say what about putting people ahead of politics?<\/p>\n
What about putting nurses ahead of politics, nurses who earn less than $390 a month and are enduring chronic staff shortages which leaves them with a nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:20 or even 1:30 in some wards. Recommended nurse-to-patient ratios are one nurse to every five patients.<\/p>\n
ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n
CONTINUE READING BELOW<\/p>\n
\u2018Development ahead of politics\u2019 they say, while we say what about putting teachers ahead of politics, teachers who are earning salaries from $320 to $480 a month.<\/p>\n
Teachers who can\u2019t even afford public transport to get to work. Teachers who are struggling with a teacher-to-pupil ratio of 1:45 children when the recommended rate is 1:25 students.<\/p>\n
\u2018Development ahead of politics\u2019 they say, while we say what about putting ordinary people ahead of politics; people who still live in dusty villages without water or electricity 46 years after independence and still use donkeys and ox carts for transport.<\/p>\n
Read:<\/p>\n
Rule of law or rule of men?
\nHelping hands, and hands that just keep taking in Zimbabwe<\/p>\n
Ordinary people in urban and rural areas are struggling to find enough money for school fees when term opens in a week\u2019s time.<\/p>\n
One father told me such a sad story this week. His son had done so well that he\u2019d been chosen to be a school captain, but with that honour came the need for a new school uniform. New colour trousers and shirt, new colour blazer \u2013 and that was before the school fees.<\/p>\n
ADVERTISEMENT:<\/p>\n
CONTINUE READING BELOW<\/p>\n
\u201cI am so proud of my first born,\u201d he said to me, wiping a tear from his eye, \u201cbut I don\u2019t know how to afford it.\u201d<\/p>\n
The closing date for submissions on the proposed Constitutional Amendment is 15 May.<\/p>\n
The government says it doesn\u2019t need a referendum, but still it puts up banners and arrests, beats, intimidates and threatens those who dare to differ.<\/p>\n
Please don\u2019t forget about Zimbabwe and the ordinary people. Don\u2019t forget about a nurse trying to look after 20 patients. A teacher trying to teach a class of 45 students. A father so proud of his first-born son.<\/p>\n
\u00a9 Cathy Buckle<\/p>\n
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