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the wake of the rejection of the party’s amended version of the draft constitution by the MDC formations.
Sources close to developments say the party leadership may also deliberate the pending by-elections following last month’s Supreme Court ruling compelling President Mugabe to call by-elections in three constitutions whose former MPs had approached the court for recourse.
Over 38 constituencies are vacant in the wake of the deaths or expulsion of legislators since 2008.
President Mugabe handed the amended draft constitution to other Global Political Agreement Principals, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambra and MDC leader Professor Welshman Ncube after Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting.
The MDC formations on Wednesday said they would not accept the Zanu-PF document.
They argued that Zanu-PF — which meet over four consecutive weeks to audit the draft against the national report — should bring its concerns to the Second All Stakeholders’ Conference.
The MDC formations met for a combined 90 minutes when the draft was released by the management committee and gave it the thumbs up.
Zanu-PF spokesperson Cde Rugare Gumbo said the country might have to revert to the current Constitution if the MDC formations refused to consider his party’s recommendations.
“We are having a Politburo meeting on Saturday and that is when we are likely to come up with a position. I understand that the process is now at consultation stage with Principals.
“Zanu-PF as a party is keen to have a new constitution for Zimbabwe. The party is also keen to ensure that we hold the next general elections under the new constitution.
“But if it (Zanu-PF) is pushed to the corner, we may consider to revert to the old (current) Constitution. If that is their position (MDC formations), it is fine we are going to take a position on Saturday,” he said.
Cde Gumbo said a solution needs to be found to break the stalemate for the country to go to elections within the agreed timelines.
Sadc, at its extraordinary summit held in Luanda, Angola, earlier this year, urged Zimbabwe to go for elections within 12 months after which general elections should follow.
“We need to have elections one way or the other. My understanding is that some of the issues that the MDC formations are advocating are very minor such as the issue of devolution,” he said.
“As Zanu-PF, we are saying we cannot have devolution because we are a unitary state. They are sticking to issues that do not help,” he said.
Zanu-PF recommended a number of amendments to the draft constitution.
Some of the issues that Zanu-PF wanted to be amended include the issue of same sex marriages and dual citizenship.
The party is also against the issue of running mates, arguing that Vice-Presidents should be appointed.
However, the MDC formations have already endorsed the draft saying it should now be taken to the Second All Stakeholders Conference as it is.
Online Reporter