DEPUTY Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe has backed calls for the devolution of power, seeking to influence a process underway to draw up a new constitution.

On a visit to the United Kingdom this week, Khupe said the debate on devolution was often clouded by “unfounded fears” that its proponents were seeking to divide the country on tribal lines.

“When we talk about devolution, people must not think that we are talking about promoting tribalism,” Khupe told a public meeting called by the Zimbabwe Diaspora Focus Group in London on Tuesday.

Khupe said devolution of power would ensure local problems are tackled with local solutions instead of central government prescribing uniform policies for different communities.

To applause, Khupe said: “Central government could choose to construct a road in Plumtree, yet the people there may prefer a deep tank or something more important to them.”

Senior figures in Khupe’s Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party including party leader, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, Water Resources Minister Sam Sipepa Nkomo and Constitutional Affairs Minister Eric Matinenga have all backed devolution calls which are strong in the south-western parts of the country.

Khupe says while there is unanimity on devolution, divisions may occur around the country on the scope of the devolution and how it would work in practise.

The opposition ZAPU, which welcomed Khupe’s speech in London, has proposed the division of the country into five regions -- Mashonaland, Masvingo, Manicaland, Matabeleland and Midlands -- from the current 10 provinces.

“Elected governors and regional assemblies with power to manage public services and resources would politically and economically empower Zimbabweans and encourage cultural and social diversity,” ZAPU said in a statement.

Parliament has deployed teams throughout the country to gather people’s views on a new constitution, and devolution is expected – along with gay rights, police powers and presidential powers and term limits – to dominate the hearings.