It is our considered view that the Kariba Draft is worse than the proposed constitution that was rejected in the referendum in 2000 – worse because it gives the president unbridled powers.
Among the sweeping Presidential powers contained in the Kariba Draft, which are highlighted on page 2 of this issue so that there can be no confusion, is a clause permitting Mugabe to serve another two five-year terms. Heaven forbid!
In addition, there are no limits to the number of government ministers appointed by the president, no limit to presidential patronage and no devolution of power to the provinces.
The draft makes no provision for the post of Prime Minister. How the MDC could have ever signed up to this in the first place is beyond our comprehension. We can only presume that the delegates to the Kariba talks were heavily strong-armed by former mediator Thabo Mbeki.
The Kariba Draft also gives the president powers to declare war without consulting anyone. He would have the right to appoint judges and fire them at will.
We say no, no, no to the Kariba Draft and indeed to any draft that does not severely curtail the powers invested in one man.
The case of Shuah Mudiwa is just one example of what follows when there are no checks and balances. This MDC legislator has been imprisoned for seven years for a crime he did not commit to cover up the Mugabe regimes atrocity at Chiadzwa diamond mine. By the way, his imprisonment also removes the MDCs parliamentary majority.
The zealousness on the part of the police in pursuing this and other frivolous cases against MDC MPs, while thousands of Zanu (PF) murderers and rapists walk free, is another case in point. We could fill this newspaper and more with other examples.
Word:
But let all those who take refuge and put their trust in You rejoice; let them ever sing and shout for joy, because You make a covering over them and defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You and be in high spirits. Psalm 5:11
(Amplified Bible)
Post published in: Editor: Wilf Mbanga