Indeed, Copac should now proceed to get the draft translated into all the major languages spoken in this country so that everybody can read it for themselves before they participate in the forthcoming referendum. Zimbabwe has a high literacy rate, and most people will want to know in advance what they will be committing themselves to in relation to the governance charter.
The fact that Zanu (PF) has written its own version of a draft constitution should not bother this nation nor delay the next stages in the process. To all intents and purposes, Zanu (PF) has every right to author its own constitution, but it cannot foist such a document on the people of this country in violation of the Global political Agreement (GPA). Article VI of the GPA states clearly the various steps to be followed in the constitution-making process, and there is no mention whatsoever of the need to consider or negotiate on some strange version.
To ask the Principals to negotiate on the Zanu (PF) draft is to ask them to undertake a task that is contrary to the provisions of the GPA. As envisaged in Article VI, the process is a parliamentary responsibility. The executive arm of the state does not have any specific role to play in this regard. The principle of the separation of powers should not be violated so easily and deliberately.
The launching of the Vote Yes campaign essentially means that from now on, all our political leaders have the responsibility to inform the people to vote yes for the Copac draft constitution. This also entails informing the people of the highlights of the content of the proposed governance charter.
This requires that thousands of copies of the Copac draft need to be made available to all our political leaders as soon as possible. It also means that strenuous efforts need to be made to train and equip the political leaders so that they become knowledgeable on the content of the draft. This can be done through regional workshops.
The training materials should be standardised and consistent with the key provisions of the draft constitution. It is obvious that Zanu (PF) supporters will boycott these training sessions since their party is insisting on its own draft constitution. But this need not distract us from moving ahead with the constitution and making process. Zanu (PF) must not be allowed to hold this nation to ransom for its own ends.
It is critical that both the MDC formations should resist and reject any further talks with Zanu (PF) on the draft constitution. If push comes to the shove the SADC mediator, President Jacob Zuma, will need to be asked to step into the ring and mediate the best he can. Both MDC formations have already indicated to him that there is now a deadlock regarding the Copac draft. The onus is now on him and his team to come in and facilitate the next move. – makumbe60@gmail.com
Post published in: Opinions & Analysis