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However, highly placed sources in the committee said they had agreed on only two issues and that the principals would determine the way forward.
“We met and as usual there is nothing concrete to talk about because those outstanding issues are still in place. In fact, we sought of agreed on two issues and we have resolved to put everything in the hands of the principals who will guide us on what to do. I cannot give you the two issues because the matter is still delicate,” said the source.
Another source said there was no political will among some members of the Cabinet committee.
“It seems some of the people are not committed to see this thing through because they do not want elections to take place early. We now do not know when the next meeting is because we have agreed to meet again after reporting to the principals and getting the way forward,” said the source.
The committee, chaired by Minister Matinenga, comprises Justice and Legal Affairs Minister Patrick Chinamasa, Finance Minister Tendai Biti, Regional Integration and International Cooperation Minister Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga and Copac co-chairpersons Cde Munyaradzi Mangwana (Zanu-PF), Mr Douglas Mwonzora (MDC-T) and Mr Edward Mkhosi (MDC).
Cde Mangwana confirmed yesterday’s meeting.
“We have met but for the outcome of the meeting talk to the spokesperson (Minister Matinenga),” said Cde Mangwana, Zanu-PF representative to Copac.
MDC-T spokesperson Mr Mwonzora said: “We did meet and we did work. For anything, talk to (Mr) Matinenga.”
The MDC could not be reached for comment.
With the 30 contentious issues raised during the Second All Stakeholders Conference in place, it has become clear that Copac will not produce a refined draft Constitution any time soon.
Political analysts said the stalemate by the Cabinet committee might give leeway for President Mugabe to proclaim dates for general elections using the current Constitution.
Zanu-PF resolved at its 13th Annual National People’s Conference in Gweru this month that Constitution-making process should be completed by Christmas, failure of which President Mugabe would in terms of the law, dissolve Parliament and proclaim dates for general elections using the current Constitution.
The contentious issues from the Second All Stakeholders Conference include devolution, dual citizenship, legislature, executive powers, Land Commission, security sector and judiciary.
Delegates at the Second All Stakeholders’ Conference rejected devolution and dual citizenship while the MDC formations are pushing for the inclusion of the two issues.
The parties have not agreed on the executive powers-whether the executive authority should be vested in the President only or in the President and Cabinet.
There is also no agreement on whether or not the President should seek approval of Parliament when declaring war.
There is also no agreement on the security sector especially on whether the new supreme law should provide for the appointment of the Minister responsible for the police service.
Another area of dispute is the judiciary with the parties not disagreeing on whether or not Zimbabwe should have a separate Constitutional Court or the Supreme Court should transfer itself into a Constitutional Court when there are constitutional issues to deal with.
There are differences on the legislature as to whether or not the Clerk of Parliament should preside over election of the Speaker of Parliament or the President of the Senate.
Other areas of contention were the Land Commission and the Attorney General’s Office.
There are also disagreements on whether provincial councils should be called devolved or decentralised and how a successor would be chosen in case of incapacitation of the President.
The Constitution-making process that was expected to take about 18 months has taken over three years because of bickering among the political parties.
The MDC formations endorsed the draft in its entirety, but Zanu-PF proposed amendments that were taken to the second all stakeholders conference.
The revolutionary party argued that the draft had deviated from people’s views gathered during the outreach programme.
Zanu-PF has openly declared that it would not support a draft constitution that does not defend, protect and preserve the values of the liberation struggle.
MDC formations have mainly been basing their preferences on “international best practices”, while Zanu-PF used the outreach national statistical report that outlines the numbers.
Online Reporter