Copac delegates sign code of conduct

violence if it breaks out at the Second All Stakeholders Conference starting tomorrow.

 

The code of conduct defines the rules to be observed by the delegates for the constitution-making body to be able to maintain peace and order.

The new arrangement is meant to avert violence that characterised the First All Stakeholders Conference in Harare in 2010.

Addressing the media in Harare yesterday, Copac co-chairpersons Cde Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana (ZanuPF) and Mr Douglas Mwonzora (MDCT) said security arrangements had been tightened to ensure a successful conference.

“First, we have made sure that people (delegates) sign a code of conduct,” said Cde Mangwana.

“We have also increased security personnel with some in uniform and others in plain clothes.”

Mr Mwonzora threatened to deal with troublemakers.

“Every accredited delegate has been made to sign a code of conduct and if they breach it, they will be dealt with,” he said.

According to the code of conduct, delegates risk expulsion from the conference if they behave badly.

It says that delegates are expected to, among other things, be respectful to other delegates and not to use abusive language or gestures during the execution of Copac duties nor behave in any manner that may be disruptive to others and the process.

They are not allowed to take any alcoholic beverages during the execution of Copac duties nor shall a member be allowed to report for duty while under the influence of alcohol or any intoxicating substances.

“Should a delegate breach terms of this code of conduct, the Copac human resources subcommittee would be responsible for instituting appropriate disciplinary proceedings, which shall include, but not limited to disciplinary hearings, summary expulsion from the conference, withholding of allowances,” reads the code of conduct.

“The chairperson of the human resources subcommittee in the company of at least two other members from different political parties represented in Parliament may institute disciplinary proceedings or impose an appropriate penalty, but shall report the circumstances to the human resources subcommittee within 12 hours of the imposition of the penalty or disciplinary proceeding, as the case may be.”

Some of the penalties for breaching the rules, would be to: “use of lawful means to prohibit a delegate from participating or observing the proceedings of the conference.

“Expel a member from the premises of the conference.

“Impose an appropriate monetary penalty, which penalty shall not exceed the money payable to a delegate for the attendance of the conference.

“Copac may prohibit a delegate from participating or observing the proceedings of the conference.”

Mr Mwonzora said it was important for delegates to respect the presence of political party heads, President Mugabe (Zanu-PF), Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai (MDC-T) and MDC leader Professor Welshman Ncube.

Cde Mangwana said Copac uploaded the National Statistical Report on the draft constitution on its website, www.copac.org.zw, in last year.

He said hard copies of the report would also be accessible at all provincial offices by today in the custody of provincial administrators in line with the court ruling made on Thursday.

Delegates attending the conference, Cde Mangwana said, would be given the report before the conference.

Mr Mwonzora added that the High Court ruling gave Copac the go ahead to proceed with conference.

He said Copac had fully complied with the High Court order.

“We are now immune to any legal challenge in terms of seeking to bar the Second All Stakeholders Conference because the High Court Judge has ruled that the conference should go ahead,” he said.

Cde Mangwana said Copac would not lose sleep over threats by some non-governmental organisations that they would boycott the conference.

National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations and Crisis Coalition in Zimbabwe threatened to boycott the conference if their demands were not met.

“I don’t believe Nango and Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition are the totality of civic society in Zimbabwe,” said Cde Mangwana.

“There are many civic organisations in Zimbabwe that are not affiliated to the two and they have come forward for accreditation.

“We have even gone out of our way by allocating 100 more seats to organisations affiliated to Nango and Crisis but it is their democratic right either to participate or not. Anyway, there are over 4 000 civic organisations in Zimbabwe.”

Mr Mwonzora said the two organisations had seconded 300 delegates to the conference.