adminto them. There is not much to debate because it does not add any value but they kept debating. From our side we felt there is no reason to keep debating when those contributions are of no significance because the Bill cannot be altered,” Cde Gumbo said in an interview.
Zanu-PF legislator for Tsholotsho North constituency Professor Jonathan Moyo accused the MDC-T of abusing debate on the Constitutional Bill by turning it into valedictory speeches to mourn their dead political careers.
“The MDC-T MPs are insulting members of the public that voted for the Bill with the understanding that Parliament was going to endorse the document without delay for them to start enjoying the benefits of the new Constitution, for example, the Bill of Rights and the elections.
“These valedictory addresses are robbing the people of every minute and delaying the implementation of the new Constitution. The people do not want to hear these speeches.
“The people are impatient out there, they are waiting for Parliament to pass the Bill and President assents to it to become law. They are denying the people of Zimbabwe that right.
That is cruel. We in Zanu-PF are waiting to confirm the results of the referendum and go for elections,” he said.
During the debate, several MPs continued debating into the night.
In his speech, during the Second Reading speech, Minister Matinenga cited several improvements made to the Constitution that include the Preamble, expanded Bill of Rights and Citizenship rights.
“It will be noted that the Preamble addresses the issue of diversity in this country. That same Preamble states that we are a unitary state and the history of the liberation struggle. It recognises the supremacy of God,” he said.
Minister Matinenga said major improvement on citizenship was that those citizens by birth could not lose that status and that those used to be deemed as aliens were now recognised as citizens.
Minister Matinenga said the Bill of Rights provided political and civil rights that included social, economic, environmental rights among others.
“If there is any attack of this Constitution, it cannot be on the Bill of Rights,” he said.
All legislators from the political divide supported the Bill.
Defence Minister, Emmerson Mnangagwa who spoke briefly said Zimbabweans should congratulate themselves for having reached this far, a journey he said was not easy.
“After a bitter armed struggle where sons and daughters of this country died and were maimed, the Lancaster House gave us a window to achieve two things, cessation of war and independence,” he said.
The major grievance of the armed struggle, Minister Mnangagwa said, was the land and he expressed gratitude that all political parties in and outside Parliament were agreed that land belonged to Zimbabweans.
“Today I am so delighted that all of us are speaking with one voice,” he said.
Mberengwa East MP, Cde Makhosini Hlongwane (Zanu-PF) commended the Draft Constitution but said there was need to ensure that there were adequate policies to guard against land.
If the House of Assembly passes the Bill today, it would then be referred to the Senate where it is expected to go through three readings.
If the Upper House adopts it, the Bill would then be sent to President Mugabe for assent and become effective upon gazetting.
At that stage, there would be amendments to certain laws to align them with the new constitution.
Online Reporter