Leaders from the three political parties in the Government of National Unity urged CSOs to ensure that there is constitutional literacy among Zimbabweans, especially women. This call comes amid revelations by the Deputy Police Commissioner General Innocent Matibiri at a parliamentary committee meeting on defence and home affairs that the police will continue its crackdown on CSOs because the “western backed groups posed a serious security threat”.
Speaking on the sidelines of a pre-referendum conference organised by the Ministry of Women Affairs in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme and the Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe in Harare recently, the Minister of Women Affairs, Olivia Nyembesi Muchena, urged CSOs to continue their sterling work in their communities.
“We recognise your contribution and we are very grateful for the work you have done. We now look forward to seeing you spearhead an audit on existing legislation to ensure that it is coherent with the proposed draft constitution, because as far as we are concerned, the proposed draft will be the constitution in two weeks time,” she said. She added that the audit was important to ensure that the current laws aligned to the constitution.
“Help us improve the literacy of our citizens,” said Muchena.
Women’s Parliamentary Caucus Chairperson and Zanu (PF)’s Goromonzi West legislator, Beatrice Nyamupinga, said CSOs had exhibited resilience in advocacy for women’s rights in the draft constitution. “CSOs are working very hard and we want to thank you for all the work you are doing to ensure that women’s rights are recognised,” said Nyamupinga.
“Continue working hard and ensure that information cascades to the grassroots levels. We are thankful that the women’s movement has risen above party politics so far.”
Zanu (PF) Women Assembly boss, Oppah Muchinguri, called for increased synergies between CSOs and political parties to minimise conflict. “Let us develop conflict management techniques because we need to work together,” said Muchinguri.
Sibusisiwe Masara from the MDC-T denounced politically motivated violence. “CSOs should work hand in glove with political parties and foster peace across the political divide,” she said.
Police, in collaboration with the CIO, have in the past few weeks raided leading human and political rights NGOs in what analysts have described as “calculated harassment” ahead of a constitutional referendum scheduled for the 16th.
Post published in: News