NCA SEVERE TIES WITH BOTH MDC FORMATIONS (21-09-07)

oint a ZANU PF successor once Mugabe resigns.

Madhuku was recently quoted in one of Zimbabwe’s weekly newspapers as saying the NCA was cutting ties both MDC formations over their support on constitutional amendments without involvement of all Zimbabwean citizens.

“We are cutting our ties with the MDC for going to bed with ZANU PF,”said Madhuku breathing fire.

Analysts are saying the move by the MDC might see the once vibrant party being seriously butchered by the ruling party, as it is likely to lose more supporters who are in the civic society who are worried by the newly born unity between MDC and ZANU PF.

Our source within the upper echelons of ZANU PF confirmed that, his party was now going to the elections with more hope than before the 18th amendment was passed as it was facing strong threats from MDC and the civic society groups.

“The fact that the two ‘formations’ of the MDC have been able to agree on such a fundamental issue of principle in relation to constitution-making makes the NCA wonders why the party split over the senate, itself a product of Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 17).

“Both formations seem to be out of touch with the aspirations of ordinary Zimbabweans who are clamouring for an open and genuine process of democratization. Accordingly, the claims by one of the MDC formations that it is ‘closer’ to the people must be dismissed as hollow.

“Only a genuine and people driven-driven process will bring the much-needed transformation of our society”, read part of the statement by the opposition National Constitutional Assembly.

The NCA also repeated that the amendment backed by the MDC was undemocratic and heavily ignored interests of Zimbabwean in their contribution to the national debate and democratization process.

“The NCA wishes to repeat here that Amendment (No. 18) does not, in any way, advance the interests of the people of Zimbabwe.

“ For instance, it provides for the following, that Zimbabweans will not be able to elect a president of their choice whenever the office of the president falls vacant in between parliamentary elections. Parliament will now elect a president who can serve a term beyond four years. In other words, Amendment 18 now creates a situation where a person who has not been elected by the people can govern Zimbabwe for four years (but less than five years).

The MDC agrees to this, the size of Parliament has been increased beyond the capacity and requirements of the country. The House of Assembly increases from 150 to 210 members, while the Senate balloons to 93 members from 66. The MDC agrees to this.
It provides for a Human Rights Commission when the Bill of Rights has not been improved.

The MDC agrees to this, it does not provide Zimbabweans in the Diaspora the right to vote. The MDC agrees to this, it does not change the manner of appointment of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), yet it entrusts ZEC with more sensitive roles such as the delimitation of constituencies. The MDC agrees to this.

The NCA also called on all Zimbabweans who believe in a people driven democratic constitution to strongly express their dissatisfaction over the manner in which the constitution has been altered for the interests of those few in parliament.

“Accordingly, the NCA urges all Zimbabweans to reject piecemeal amendments to the constitution and in the process reject the proposed Amendment Number 18. The NCA encourages Zimbabweans to intensify the push for a new, democratic, people-driven constitution”, said the NCA.