I have no qualms with political parties seeking to measure their popularity and indeed seeking to unseat each other. That is the business of political parties and if they do not do that, then they have no business. However, I am concerned that the use of the constitution making process in this regard is unethical.
By its very nature, the constitution embodies a people’s pride – it is the point of reference of whom and what they are. A political party is not the measure of a constitution, and any process that seeks to pass any constitution simply because one party likes it and another does not like it spells doom for the nation.
In this regard, one is obliged to the NCA’s argument that the process was never in the first place meant to be a people-driven process, it was meant to be political party-driven. And now what we see is the politicians having failed to agree, opting to use people as fodder in their search for political power.
Flawed from the outset
I have no doubt about Zanu (PF)’s intransigence, but I am equally aware that the process was flawed from the outset and the MDC knew that it was flawed. By insisting on its changes to the constitution, Zanu (PF) is holding the country to ransom; but by refusing any further debate on the constitution and calling upon state apparatus like the Speaker of the House to take unilateral action, the MDC is only playing into the hands of Zanu (PF). When the case is finally presented, the MDC will be accused of walking out of the negotiations, for Zanu (PF) will simply present themselves as the innocent ones. As a result, the MDC will lose some of the respect and support they have garnered so far in Africa.
When it comes to SADC, it would be embarrassing if the MDC said we cannot talk about it. It would be more embarrassing for the MDC to go back to the people and say we are now talking about it. This will be even worse when they tell their supporters that they have conceded to some (hopefully not all or most) of the demands of Zanu (PF). The historical lesson from past regimes is that never say never.
Raising the stakes
Stakes need to be raised for a more constructive role from Zanu (PF), but it would be foolish of the MDC and civil society to wish Zanu (PF) out of the process. Already the MDC is making itself culpable of breaking the process, and what we will see are positions being entrenched.
A road was chosen that in the eyes of the MDC was the best road, against all advice. That road needs to be walked through. A process is a procedure that will either give you the results you want or fail to achieve. When it fails, you abandon it, or you modify it you need to move backwards and find a starting point. This is where we seem to be.
Post published in: Opinions & Analysis