Speaking in Harare recently at the ideological lecture series organised by the MDC-T, Makumbe said politicians and other stakeholders should not foist devolution on the people, but let them make informed decisions for themselves.
“Devolution fosters national unity by recognising diversity. People know that unity does not mean that we all see issues the same way,” said Makumbe.
“Spain, Peru, South Africa, Kenya, France and Papua New Guinea are examples of countries, some much smaller than Zimbabwe, that have a devolution system of governance,” he added.
Devolution is one of the contentious issues stalling the constitution-making process, with Zanu (PF) insisting it is divisive, while the MDC parties led by Morgan Tsvangirai and Welshman Ncube are pushing for its adoption.
Makumbe said devolution, which entails giving administrative and political power to individual provinces, would reduce economic inequalities associated with a centralised government. It also promotes democracy and accountability.
“At the moment we have power concentrated in one old person who has taken to sleeping during meetings,’’ he said, referring to President Robert Mugabe who is now 88 and has ruled Zimbabwe for 32 years.
While devolution has offset civil unrest in some countries such as Nigeria, the constitution should provide mechanisms to thwart disturbances, he added.
Post published in: News