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businessman Mr Danny Musukuma was seeking to stop the conference until the report was published for people to study it.
Justice Hlatshwayo ordered Copac to publish a Press statement in the national media informing the nation that the report was now accessible on its website.
He also directed Copac to ensure the distribution of hard copies of the report to the 10 provincial administrators’ offices countrywide by midday tomorrow for people to photocopy it.
The parties registered the order by consent.
Mr Musukuma represented himself, while Mr Dumisani Kufaruwenga of Dzimba Jaravaza and Company representedCopac.
Mr Masukuma described the outcome as a victory for Zimbabweans.
“It is indeed a victory for the 13 million Zimbabweans who are the principal stakeholders in the Constitution-making process,” he said.
“Copac has been reluctant to publish the report, but they are now compelled to release it immediately. I can say we have achieved the principal objective although we had to consent to the non-deferment of the conference.”
The order allows the conference to proceed as scheduled provided Copac complied with the High Court ruling.
“First respondent (Copac) shall release a Press statement informing the public through the national and other media that the National Statistical Report is accessible on its website www.copac.org.zw by 10am on the morning of October 19 2012,” read the order.
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“The applicant shall be given his hard copy of the National Statistical Report forthwith.”
The Second All-Stakeholders’ conference will run from Sunday to Tuesday. Mr Musukuma filed the urgent chamber application arguing that the conference could not proceed without the publication of the national statistical report.
Justice and Legal Affairs Minister Patrick Chinamasa, Copac co-chairperson Cde Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana, Energy and Power Development Minister Elton Mangoma, Finance Minister Tendai Biti, Industry and Commerce Minister and MDC leader Professor Welshman Ncube and Regional Integration and International Co-operation Minister Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga were listed as respondents.
Without knowledge of the contents of the national statistical report, Mr Musukuma said people could not meaningfully participate at the conference. He argued that without a published report, the Constitution-making process ceased to be people-driven.
Mr Musukuma said failure by Copac to provide the National Statistical Report to the general populace violated the people’s right to freedom of expression.
Meanwhile, civil society organisations yesterday threatened to boycott the conference after Copac accredited only 71 representatives instead of the 300 they seconded.
Crisis in Zimbabwe director Mr McDonald Lewanika said in an interview that Copac’s selection criteria should be changed.
Online Reporter