“The truth is Zanu (PF) is afraid of a free and fair election. This is factionalism at play. As MDC our position is clear, we are refusing to be involved in resolving factionalism in the Zanu (PF),” he told journalists here.
There are two camps in Zanu (PF) fighting to succeed aging President Robert Mugabe. One camp is reportedly led by Defence minister Emmerson Mnangagwa while the other is led by Vice President Joice Mujuru.
Turning to the constitution-making process, Mwonzora said: “We want a separation of power between judiciary and the Executive, that is what people fought for in the war of liberation. It is not the duty of the Executive to make laws. Why steal the job of Parliament? President Mugabe is trying to usurp the powers of the parliament. As MDC we say Zanu (PF) is offside.”
“We should respect the pacts that we sign and parliament must also be respected. Zanu (PF) was the first to sign the draft and we wonder why they are diverting from the pact they are signatory to. Negotiators must be respected because you can never negotiate in good faith twice,” he added.
He dismissed claims by Zanu (PF) that devolution was tribal, saying the process was meant to give powers to provincial councils and was born out of the need to equally distribute the country`s wealth.
“Surely, surely Marange has vast diamonds but it is the place where you find poorest people in the world. In Nyanga, we have tourist attraction destinations but the locals are being sidelined from benefiting,” said Mwonzora.
MDC-N Manicaland Chapter chairperson, Davis Mundirwira said COPAC did its best and Zanu (PF) should give people a chance to decide.
“A lot of material was unconstitutional and COPAC did a great job to come up with a sensible document. As MDC-N, we believe the draft is not the best but better than the current Lancaster constitution, especially in circumstances as they are,” he said.
Post published in: News