We support the call by the constitutional commissioners for the three principals in the GPA to make a joint announcement that the inclusive government will NOT tolerate any form of violence or coercion during the constitutional consultation process.This should be followed up with transparent instructions to the Zimbabwe Republic Police to adopt and implement diligently a policy of zero tolerance for any political violence with immediate effect regardless of who the perpetrators are.
It is unfortunate that it should be necessary that such a call be made, but given what is happening on the ground in Zimbabwe at this time, it is vital that all three leaders publicly declare that the process must be peaceful. People should be allowed to speak freely and without fear of intimidation of any kind.
The whole idea of consulting the people is to come up with a home-grown constitution that will be supported by all Zimbabweans, regardless of their political orientation. This will be the supreme law of the country that we all would want to cherish and uphold.
Unless this happens, we will not be able to move forward as a nation. What is important here is for the constitutional commission to consult widely and capture the mood of Zimbabweans. Their task then will be to encapsulate this into the final document. If this is not seen to be done, properly we risk having the new constitution rejected by the people as happened in1999. The GPA provides for a referendum on the new constitution, during which the people will have their say.
Most Zimbabweans, no matter what their political persuasion, agree that the present much-amended constitution is no longer fit for purpose. The country needs a truly democratic constitution, which guarantees the rights of the people and offers adequate protection to all citizens of Zimbabwe. Lets do it right this time.
Post published in: Editor: Wilf Mbanga