At last, Zimbabweans could determine the length of a leader’s term of office. Zimbabweans could decide whether an executive presidency was what the country really needed. Zimbabweans could at least speak out, be heard and attended to if they were disabled, marginalised or of a different sexual orientation.
You will be heard
Whatever our concerns, we could now be heard and our views would be part of a truly Zimbabwean constitution, so we hoped. That is what the roadside billboards, press adverts and radio programmes said. ‘Speak out and you will be heard,’ that was the resonating message.
Our politicians showed a high level of maturity by creating the Constitution Select Committee. This body was supposed to be independent from the State with politics being represented by a few figures nominated from political parties. Today, Copac is no longer spearheading a people-driven process but rather, a people-driving constitution. We are told that political parties, namely MDC-T, Zanu (PF) and MDC-N (or is it MDC-M?) have scrutinised the constitution which was fertilised and watered by our views. These parties hope to trash our views, apply serious political cosmetics to the constitution and window-dress it in parliament before driving us en-masse to vote “Yes” to the resulting sham.
Where did they go?
Zanu (PF) has already begun this process with its Politburo having hastily jotted its amendments and its principal, President Robert Mugabe, tabling these amendments to his fellow principals.
The two MDC have already dismissed the Zanu (PF)’s amended draft. So, where did the people that were supposed to drive this process go? The truth is they were never there. The people were never in charge in the first place. Reports that people were being forcibly driven to outreach consultations showed an evil force behind the process. The chaos that ensued at the first All Stakeholders’ Conference held in Harare in July 2009 was indeed ominous of the disorder that we may be about to witness now.
The exclusivity of political representation on the Copac management committee is also quite telling. Where is MDC 99, Mavambo/ Kusile, Zapu, Zanu (Ndonga) or any other creature called a political party? Are we to believe that politics begins and ends with the parties making the inclusive government? Are these the only parties eligible to ‘look at’ the constitution and make their own so-called amendments, under the guise of talking on behalf of the people?
Going nowhere slowly
The continued meddling by a few politicians in the constitution-making process continues to mess up an already flawed process.
We are going nowhere slowly. The only person that would come out happier is Lovemore Madhuku, because by the time politicians finish making their amendments, he will still have a job, as long as Zimbabweans remain (which they will) in need of a people-driven constitution. The parties making up the inclusive government must stop treating the constitution as a Christmas shopping list. They have no power to amend the views of the people. The only amendments that politicians should be expected to make are in the House of Assembly and Senate, where they carry the mandate of the people that voted them into power. Any amendments made in the August House are welcome and will be debated accordingly, only in the spirit of refining, not overhauling the people’s views.
When everything is said and done, Zimbabwe needs a new constitution that is based on its people’s views. A constitution that Zimbabweans will recognise and be proud of. A constitution that puts the ordinary man and woman in the driving seat. Until then, the dream continues.
Post published in: Analysis