Attorney General blocks referendum calls as Parliament debates constitutional changes

Attorney General Virginia Mabhiza has dismissed demands for a national referendum on Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3, labeling the push a misinterpretation of the law. The government is moving to fast-track the bill through Parliament, effectively sidelining civil society organizations and human rights activists who argue that such significant legal shifts require public mandate. Supporters of the government claim the legislative process is sufficient, while opponents counter that the refusal to consult the public undermines democratic legitimacy. The friction highlights a hardening stance by the state against external oversight as it seeks to consolidate its legal framework. The move signals a shift toward executive-led constitutional reform, bypassing public consensus.