Constitution: Zuma team expected

“They are following up on the Maputo resolution. We hope to find the solution to our problems other­wise we wouldn’t be meet­ing,” she said.
Mr Tendai Biti, MDC-T negotia­tor, said the Sadc facilitation team would help move the process for­ward.
“There is no way the process will not be completed. The process can­not be derailed by the differences between political parties,” he said.
“The Sadc facilitation team will solve that and help us move for­ward.”

But political analysts said the visit by Mr Zuma’s team would not change anything.
“What should be understood is that we are a sovereign State and in this case, the princi­pals who are national leaders have the final say,” said Dr Joseph Kurebwa, a University of Zim­babwe political scientist.
“Unless we get a clear signal from the three principals, any other view may not neces­sarily help or indicate which way we should go.”

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Dr Eldred Masunungure said the impasse could only be broken after the principals meet.
“As it stands, the matter should not go beyond the three political parties and their leaders,” he said.
“This is a political process which involves bargaining and campaign­ing and it is only after the three prin­cipals sit and negoti­ate their way through, that we can move for­ward.

“Of course the facilitation team has a role to play, but at the moment what is needed is the word of our national leadership.”
Another political analyst, Profes­sor Jonathan Moyo, described the Zuma team’s visit as “totally mis­placed”.
“They are coming to meet with the negotia­tors who finished their role long back,” he said.
“The draft is in the hands of the principals who have not pro­nounced themselves one way or the other. There is no declared deadlock because the principals have not said a word.”

Prof Moyo added: “If there is something to talk about, it will be the duty of the facilita­tor to engage the principals and not the facil­itation team to meet negotiators.
“Worse still, the negotiators after meeting the team would report to their principals.”
Among the issues Zanu-PF wants amended are outlawing of same-sex marriages, devolution and dual citizenship.

The party is also against running mates, arguing that Vice Presi­dents should be appointed.
A Sadc summit in Maputo recently urged the political parties to work together in the constitution-making process and develop a road map for elections.