Rift between COPAC co-chairmen threatens new constitution

SW Radio Africa understands that the rift between co-chairpersons Douglas Mwonzora from the MDC-T and ZANU PFs Paul Mangwana was widening because of the approach being championed by ZANU PF.

The public hearings had to be called off in Harare and in Chitungwiza after violence broke out during meetings last week. Crispen Mandizvidza, an MDC activist, died from injuries sustained after he was assaulted in Mbare.

Our Harare correspondent Simon Muchemwa told us Mangwana was adamant that the aborted meetings should not be rescheduled, a situation that would work in favour of the former ruling party.

The assumption is that ZANU PF dominated the outreach meetings in the rural areas, so they wanted to neutralise the views of the MDC in its urban strongholds, especially the capital city. This is why ZANU PF bussed in people from outside Harare to disrupt the meetings, Muchemwa said.

Mangwanas hard nosed approach has caused fractures and rifts within the management committee which threaten to derail this reform exercise.

Despite the protests of other parties who are advocating for the rescheduling of meetings, Mangwana remains obstinate and observers believe hes taking orders from his ZANU PF party.

The three principals to the Global Political Agreement are expected to meet this week to look at reports of what transpired during the violence. It is believed Robert Mugabe, Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara would make a decision on when to reschedule abandoned meetings in Harare and other areas, like Manicaland province.

When this program began four months ago (after delays of nearly a year) there were promises of transparency. However throughout the process the outreach has been distorted by intimidation and violence, blamed mainly on ZANU PF supporters trying to force participants to toe party lines.

The exercise to redraft a new constitution is part of reforms agreed to by the three principals to strengthen democracy in the country. Under the GPA pact the country is expected to hold elections after a referendum on the new constitution, which is expected next year.