Tanzania consults Zim

Senior Reporter
AN eight-member delegation of Tanzanian legislators is in Zimbabwe to exchange notes with their counterparts on the Constitution-making process, following Zimbabwe’s success story in the crafting of its home-grown supreme law. The delegation, which is being led by Mr William Ngeleja, met the Minister of State in the Office of the President and Cabinet Flora Buka at her Munhumutapa Offices on Thursday, who explained to them how the country went about the constitution-making process.

Tanzania is in the process of making its new constitution and the legislators are eager to learn from other countries, including Zimbabwe.
Mr Ngeleja said their Government appreciated the Constitution of Zimbabwe because it was people-driven and democratic.

“It is a democratic Constitution that bears the reflection of the will of Zimbabwe,” he said. “The people of Zimbabwe have spoken through a well managed new constitution-making process.

“That’s why we chose Zimbabwe to be one of the learning centres as we prepare the constitution of our country.”
Mr Ngeleja said they heard from Minister Buka that Zimbabwe wanted to conduct the process in eight months, but failed and took four years to complete the process.

“The constitution-making process is not an easy task,” he said. “It needs consultation, it has to be all-inclusive and that’s why sometimes it may affect the projected time frame.”

Mr Ngeleja said they heard that there was a huge turnout during Zimbabwe’s constitutional referendum and that this should be a big lesson for their country.