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MDC-T held rallies in various parts of the country yesterday conscientising their members on the proposed new basic law.
In Bulawayo Zanu-PF Women’s League secretary for administration Cde Flora Buka urged party supporters to vote “Yes” in the referendum.
She was speaking at the party’s launch of the “Vote Yes Campaign” in Bulawayo.
Speaking at the party’s Bulawayo Provincial Coordinating Committee meeting at Davies Hall yesterday, Cde Buka who was guest of honour as the party’s Copac member, said the time for the party to regain lost seats was now.
She said the road towards reclaiming lost seats should start with members uniting in the referendum for a new constitution.
Cde Buka said the draft was pro-people and Zanu-PF should vote “Yes” to set the tone for a resounding victory in the impending elections.
“I was sent to explain to you the draft and ask you to support it. As a political party we have agreed to go to a referendum and as Zanu-PF we are happy that we have a people-centred document containing your views since we came to you so that you speak for yourself during the outreach process,” said Cde Buka.
“We have to support the draft, our President and Politburo have supported it and we should vote yes to it because it is pro-people and carries with it our rights as Zimbabweans. Now we should go and tell others, our children and neighbours that as soon as the President gazettes dates for the referendum we must go and vote yes.
“For now, let us start teaching each other about issues contained in the draft, which will make our Constitution.”
She said the party had started teaching its supporters about the draft constitution and mobilising them to vote yes.
Zanu-PF supporters should shun factionalism to win the elections that will follow after the referendum, said Cde Buka.
“This draft is an advantage because it has socio-economic benefits for people, thereby making it people centred. The Lower House of Parliament will have 210 members and 60 others selected from the 10 provinces.
“Let me tell you this, we will get less votes if we have factionalism. We will not be able to get adequate seats needed in the first-past-the-post system to be used in Parliament if we are divided. Let us sit down and think about what we want for our Zimbabwe as Zanu-PF. If we do well in the referendum we will also get more seats in the elections,” said Cde Buka.
Cde Buka explained chapters contained in the draft to the party supporters who welcomed with applause the party’s success in making sure land rights are enshrined in the new document, as well as making sure homosexuality is outlawed.
She also explained the kind of devolution which parties agreed on, adding that although there will no be governors, the President would still appoint resident ministers. “I was only giving you highlights and from here all stakeholders will get copies so that you go stage by stage explaining to each other,” said Cde Buka.
Zanu-PF Bulawayo provincial chairman Cde Killian Sibanda said the province will soon plan meetings in wards. “After this meeting we are going to start going around wards to explain each and every section of the draft in preparation for the referendum. I want to thank you all for coming,” he said.
The party’s secretary for education, Cde Sikhanyiso Ndlovu said Zanu-PF was a party with a vision and valued the wishes of the majority.
“What has happened today shows that Zanu-PF has vision and love for its people. Let us all work together to win back what we had lost,” said Cde Ndlovu.
Also present were Politburo members, Cdes Absalom Sikhosana, Angeline Masuku, Eunice Sandi-Moyo and Central Committee members.
In Harare Zanu-PF deputy secretary for legal affairs Cde Patrick Chinamasa said everyone had a right to make decisions from an informed position during the referendum.
He explained how the contentious issues that included dual citizenship, the executive, devolution and running mates had been resolved.
“I urge you to be united and endorse the draft because it safeguards the values of the liberation struggle and states that we should be masters of our destiny,” said Cde Chinamasa, addressing party supporters.
“The constitution making process is a journey and we are not yet there because Zimbabweans have not yet voted for the draft. It will only be complete once you endorse it.”
Cde Chinamasa said no presidential powers had been whittled in the draft constitution. “We just followed what you said during the outreach programme that the President should exercise the powers without hindrance from anyone,” he said.
“The President, who should be above 40 years and a citizen by birth or descent, has power to declare war and peace without questioning. He has the power to deploy soldiers in and outside the country and he should not ask Parliament to do that.|
The President, Cde Chinamasa said, would appoint the Attorney General and Prosecutor General. “The office of the AG has been split into two and the AG would advise Government and sit in Cabinet and the office of the prosecuting authority will be led by the Prosecutor General. Both appointments will be done by the President,” said Cde Chinamasa. Nothing has been taken away from the President. The President will appoint Cabinet and can hire or fire a Cabinet member anytime.”
Cde Chinamasa said running mates would only be effected after 10 years from the day the new Constitution comes into place.
“Before those 10 years, if a presidential vacancy arises, the party of the departed president will provide a successor within 90 days,” he said.
Cde Chinamasa said some of the issues traditional leaders were complaining about would be resolved after general elections.
MDC-T spokesperson Mr Douglas Mwonzora said they had started summarising the draft constitution to their supporters. “We have already started and as I speak I am in Nyanga while other officials are holding similar rallies countrywide with the aim of educating the masses on the contents of the new law,” he said. “We are summarising the draft for people to understand the contents before the referendum. We have agreed that there will be no material changes to the draft and there is no reason why we should not take it to the people.”
MDC spokesperson Mr Kurauone Chihwayi said their provincial and national executive members had been taken through all sections of the draft.
“The party’s leadership has taken them through the draft and as they are holding their campaign rallies they will explain the contents to the people,” he said.
“We are confident that the people of Zimbabwe will support their product by voting ‘Yes’. We played a pivotal role in this process and we are now going to complete by endorsing the draft.” — Chronicle Reporter/Harare Bureau
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