adminThe unison that is being exhibited in the constitution-making process will certainly condemn some of the Western-funded non-governmental organisations into the political dustbin.
These NGOs were benefiting a lot from the disharmony in the inclusive government over the new constitution. But now the writing is on the wall for the NGOs because Zanu-PF and the MDC formations have found each other and will be campaigning for a “Yes” vote in the referendum on the new draft constitution. We wonder who organisations such as the Dr Lovemore Madhuku-led National Constitutional Assembly represent.
The NCA has boldly declared that it will campaign for the rejection of the draft constitution. But it is puzzling who will vote against the draft constitution because the three parties in the inclusive government are in support of the proposed new supreme law. These three parties are in Parliament, which means they represent Zimbabweans who voted them into the legislature. It means therefore that everything that these three pushed to be included in the draft constitution were the views of their supporters, who happen to be Zimbabwean citizens.
So who does Dr Madhuku’s NCA represent? In whose corner is the NCA fighting? The NCA is calling the draft produced by Copac under the leadership and direction of Zanu-PF and the MDC formations a “fraud”. Dr Madhuku has even threatened to take the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to court if the body fails to give Zimbabweans ample time to study the draft constitution before the referendum.
We ask the NCA who has been defrauded by the three parties? We understand the three parties differed on a number of proposals in the draft but they sat down and came up with the compromise document, which they feel represents their supporters’ wishes.
Printing of materials to be used in the publicity campaign for the draft Constitution has begun after Senate adopted the motion on the draft constitution last week on Thursday. The House of Assembly had adopted the motion on Wednesday.
We do not doubt the commitment of Zanu-PF to upholding the law and what is agreed under the Global Political Agreement regarding the constitution and other political processes. Zanu-PF is a principled party just like its leader President Mugabe. We also believe the MDC formations would not want to disappoint their supporters.
Justice and Legal Affairs Minister Patrick Chinamasa, who is one of the Zanu-PF Global Political Agreement negotiators, said the draft constitution is a victory for the country because it defends the national interest.
Cde Chinamasa said voting against the draft would defeat the interests of Zimbabwe and the fight against imperialism.
MDC-T’s Senator Obert Gutu, who is also Justice and Legal Affairs Deputy Minister said: “The document (draft constitution) is just about the best document we could have had at this time.”
The NCA should desist from the habit of just opposing for the sake of opposing. We know they do this to raise money for their survival from their Western donors. In 2000 the NCA and the MDC, when it was still united, opposed what was an ideal proposed new supreme law crafted by the Government-appointed Constitutional Commission. Later the opposition forces were to admit that the 2000 draft was not that bad but they just opposed it because it was a Zanu-PF Government-led initiative. The Copac process could never have come out with a perfect document but laws are made and laws can be amended. For now we urge Zimbabweans to approve the draft constitution so that the country moves forward. Whoever wins the mandate of the people in the impending harmonised elections could then fine tune the constitution because they would have won the support of the majority and on whose behalf they would be acting. For now the NCA should find other means of raising money because Zimbabweans have spoken and chances are high that they are going to approve the draft constitution.
Online Reporter