In a joint press statement, COPAC Co-chairpersons Zanu (PF) Paul Mangwana, MDC-T Douglas Mwonzora and MDC-N Edward Mkhosi said the landmark conference, held from 21-23 October is first of its kind in Africa.
“It drew a total of 1 200 delegates from across the nation.
“Civic society delegates formed the biggest delegation at 70 percent, while delegates from the political sector were 30 percent of the total figure,” reads part of the statement.
The official opening that was snubbed by MDC-N led by its President Welshman Ncube as they felt betrayed by other parties in GPA for taking Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara as a principal to officiate.
This irked MDC-N and saw President Robert Mugabe, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Mutambara officiating. Ironically, the COPAC press statement does not mention Mutambara as a guest of honour.
“His Excellency President Robert Mugabe and the Right Honorable Prime Minister addressed the conference… attended by key figures in the Government of National Unity,” reads the statement.
Mkhosi told journalists that he hopes this will not happen again but was happy that his party was dedicated in ensuring that they participate in the thematic groups. “Though I was not part of the opening event, am happy that we have made it,” he said.
“But I hope the spirit of unity will prevail in the remaining part of the journey and avoid unnecessary conflict so that we achieve this constitution for posterity,” he added.
The conference was meant to table the draft constitution in terms of Article 6 of the GPA.
“Now that the draft has been tabled and stakeholders have submitted their feedback, the next stage will be the production of a report on the constitution making process which includes the draft constitution debate in Parliament,” reads the statement.
COPAC said will now ensure that every citizen have in-depth knowledge of it contents through a publicity campaign in all languages at every level.
After Parliamentary debate, Zimbabweans will be expected to vote in a referendum to decide whether the draft can be adopted as the new constitution for the land.
In the previous referendum in 2000 only one million voters participated and the majority voted against it as it was deemed to give too much presidential powers.
This time around as said by Mangwana the voters’ number is likely to double and the majority will support it.
“Just for interest sake, only a million people voted in 2000, but this time around more than a million people, 1.2 million gave their views and we are likely to have more than two million voters to participate in the referendum,” in his official opening remarks on Monday.
Post published in: News