Kariba Draft has expired Makoni

“The Kariba Draft is not even worth referring to when considering a new constitution, since it has outlived its purpose. The new constitution should be people driven and empower them to recall errant presidents like what the ANC of South Africa did to Thabo Mbeki last year,” Makoni told residents of Marondera at Rudhaka stadium last Sunday. She said the Kariba Draft gave Mugabe and his security agents more powers than God.

What do the people say?
The Zimbabwean continues with its series of interviews of Zimbabweans of all walks of life to find out what the people think about the constitution-making process.

Samukeliso Moyo, a temporary teacher at a rural school in Matabeleland South, believes that Zimbabwe needs a new constitution and one way or the other all stakeholders should come together for a unified purpose.

Firstly I understand that there is no money to fund the constitution process and that is tricky because we really need a new constitution that has to address key issues such as powers vested on the President. According to media reports after the constitution the playing field for political parties will be level and so there will be a new round of elections. As it stands there is no stable government but a marriage of convenience so for the sake of continuity and development we need a new constitution, she said.

Sakhile Khumalo, a grandmother living in the remote areas of Filabusi, does not know what a constitution is. All she knows is a rough idea that the MDC joined Mugabe in a unity government. She understands that Tsvangiari is now part of Zanu (PF).
Kumalo comes from a region where Zanu (PF) controls with an iron first as evidenced in the run-up to the elections when Andrew Langa instigated violence against opposition politicians and their supporters.
When our reporter explained to her what the constitution is and what is means for Zimbabwe she said: As long as it is going to change our grandchildrens lives for the better we hope it will go on as planned. Some of us are waiting for death and what we want is a better future for our grandchildren.

Admore Mapfumo said the country needed fresh blood in the leadership and the only way to flush out the old guard was by having new free and fair elections.

We need elections and it does not mean Zanu (PF) or MDC will win because they do not represent the whole country. A new party with better promises might come up. That is why we need elections and the only way to that is by crafting a new constitution. I am beginning to suspect that MDC and Zanu (PF) are aware of this and they will throw spanners in the way of the constitution-making process because they are not ready for elections. If things continue as they are, I will believe that both parties do not want a constitution. –

Have your say. Email us at: editor@thezimbabwean.co.uk or write to The Editor, P O Box 6560, Harare.