Amendment number 19 is to be introduced in Parliament anytime after October 14 when it reconvenes for the 7th session. According to Professor Welshman Ncube, one of the main architects of the inclusive power sharing government, it might take Parliament up to 60 days to pass the amendment into law.
Cabinet will in the meanwhile be appointed by the President to their ministerial positions by virtue of party appointments, as agreed during the talks. It effectively means cabinet will start business the day it is formed, Ncube said. There is speculation this might be done on Friday as the principals are due to meet on Thursday to finalise the distribution of ministries and the appointment of the cabinet.
Media reports had suggested that most aspects of the deal won’t come into effect until next month, which raised concerns that the new look cabinet would have to wait until then to begin its work.
The constitutional amendment seeks to give legal force to the power sharing deal that was signed by Mugabe, Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara on Monday in Harare. The amendment also creates the post of Prime Minister, which has already been filled by Tsvangirai.
Ncube said while he was relieved the negotiations were over, they remained cautiously optimistic the deal would move the country forward. The constitutional law expert admitted it would be difficult to work with Mugabe and other members of the Tsvangirai faction because we have fundamental and ideological differences.’
There is a great deal of personality clashes among the players. We also differ fundamentally on policy and there is also the difference of style, so yes, we might encounter some turbulence on the way, Ncube said.
He added; As long as people are sufficiently tolerant, we believe it must be made to work as it is the only choice we have.
 SWRadio Africa