But, with the high levels of Zanu (PF) intimidation reported from around the country, the outcome may not be a true reflection of what the people want.
The whole exercise could well end up being rejected like the 1999/2000 constitutional debacle. In the event of the new draft constitution being rejected by the people in a referendum then what?
We know that Zanu (PF) would celebrate such an eventuality. It would play right into their hands making it logical to hold the next elections under the existing, much-amended, flawed Lancaster House Constitution, which gives Mugabe unbridled power and has been largely responsible for the mess in which we are today.
We would like to suggest that, instead of presenting the electorate with the choice of either accepting or rejecting a single draft, there should be more than one draft constitution.
Instead of yes or no, let the choice be for version a, b or c. This way, whatever comes out of the whole exercise will be a better gauge of public opinion and will lead to a positive step forward rather than yet another step backwards for Zimbabwe.
No doubt, there will be a knee-jerk response from the powers that be that this proposal is impossible. However, a little out-of-the-box thinking will show that it is entirely feasible.
This is going to be our supreme law for a long time to come. Surely it is worth putting in the effort now to get it right.
If we are serious about putting our problems behind us we have to get this constitutional exercise right. This is a crucial crossroads lets not blow it.
Post published in: Editor: Wilf Mbanga