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Constitution-making process. There are concerns that his involvement could be inviolation of Article 6 of the Global Political Agreement, which states that it is the fundamental right and duty of Zimbabweans to make a Constitution by themselves for themselves.
Dr Ebrahim is a South African national who also serves as the African National Congress lawyer.
ANC leader and SA President Jacob Zuma is the facilitator to Zimbabwe’s inter-party dialogue.
Copac co-chairpersons yesterday confirmed that they were working with Dr Ebrahim as an advisor to the Select Committee.
They said Dr Ebrahim was seconded to Copac under an agreement reached by Government and the UNDP.
They, however, denied his input was included in drafting the new supreme law.
Copac co-chair Mr Douglas Mwonzora said: “We have been very true to the wishes of the people.
“Dr Ebrahim is a constitutional expert who has been recruited as part of the technical advisors under an agreement signed between Government and the UNDP.
“He has been giving advice to the Select Committee and not to the drafters.
“At no point did he (Dr Ebrahim) interact with the drafters.”
Mr Mwonzora said Copac interviewed Dr Ebrahim and his knowledge and expertise impressed all parties in the inclusive Government.
He said Dr Ebrahim was involved in the crafting of the South African constitution and such expertise was required in the ongoing process.
Mr Mwonzora defended Dr Ebrahim saying it was improper for people to complain about his involvement in Copac at this stage.
“Dr Ebrahim has not added any word to the draft Constitution as he only gave technical advice as asked for by the Select Committee.
“For people to start complaining now about seven months down the line is dishonesty at its worst,” he said.
Another Copac co-chair Mr Edward Mkhosi said Dr Ebrahim was assisting them with technical support since he was an expert in constitutional issues.
“He (Dr Ebrahim) was recommended to us by UNDP as you know that we are working together. He is assisting by giving us comparatives on what went on in South Africa,” he said.
Mr Mkhosi said Dr Ebrahim’s advice was not conclusive as Copac reserved the right to decide what should be in the final draft.
Zanu-PF’s Cde Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana could not be reached for comment.
However, sources said Dr Ebrahim was smuggled into Copac through a sophisticated and diplomatic manner to influence various critical aspects of the constitution making process.
They argued that Dr Ebrahim was used by the US and Britain to play a similar role in Kenya and Somalia.
“What is of great concern is that the UNDP is heavily manipulated by Britain in particular and the US in general and they used it to poke their dirty noses in affairs of developing countries.
“Why should we have foreigners as advisors in a purely local process contrary to the latter and spirit of the GPA?” said the source.
Online Reporter