adminLoveness Bepete Chronicle Reporter
TRADITIONAL leaders have challenged the government to translate the country’s new constitution into all 16 local official languages as a way of helping everyone including minority groups appreciate legal issues.The new constitution was enacted in May 2013.
President of the Chiefs’ Council, Chief Fortune Charumbira said the translation of the constitution was a necessity that would enable Zimbabweans to fully enjoy their constitutionally enshrined rights.
“The constitution should be translated into all the 16 local official languages so that everyone is well versed with the country’s laws. For the citizens to enjoy their rights they have to first understand them.
“The only challenge is that the government might say they don’t have adequate funds but people need to have the constitution in the language which they understand better,” Chief Charumbira said.
A survey conducted by Mass Public Opinion Institute (MPOI) last November revealed that a majority of people in the country did not understand the constitution while others were not aware of its contents.
According to the survey, 49 percent of the respondents suggested that the Constitution be translated into local languages and copies made available to all Zimbabweans for them to have more knowledge of the constitution.
“Three out of 10 adult Zimbabweans (30 percent) indicated that they know nothing at all while nearly half (48 percent) said they know a little bit about the national charter. Only 16 percent said they knew and understood the country’s supreme law,” the survey results revealed.
Zimbabweans also want the government and its various arms that include the media and civil society organisations to disseminate information on the new constitution using various media.
Online Reporter