Awareness activities begin

to the people. The move is aimed at assisting the public to make decisions from an informed position during the referendum.

“Officials in my ministry went out on a pre-visit and they are helping in the preparations of the meeting to explain the draft constitution to the public. As we speak, they are in Matabeleland region.
“The programme will be extended to all the provinces as it is vital to educate the nation before they go for the referendum,” he said.

The pre-referendum activities were suspended following differences over the draft constitution among political parties in the inclusive Government.
However, the parties have since resolved their differences and have agreed to take two documents — national statistical report and the draft to the second all-stakeholders’ conference. The activities are being funded by Treasury and the United Nations Development Programme.

Minister Matinenga could not reveal how much was needed for the activities.
“The fact that the officials are in the field means some resources have been made available. I do not have the figures with me, but all I can say is something has been released for the purposes. It is our hope that we are going to cover all the areas for the benefit of all Zimbabweans,” he said.

He said many people did not understand the legal language used in the draft hence the need for the simplification. “When they go for the referendum they should know what to vote for or against,” he said.