ZANU PF party continues deliberations on the country's new draft constitution Friday after failing to reach consensus on the issue earlier this week.

The party's supreme decision-making body, the politburo, is reportedly at odds over the long-delayed draft, which will replace Zimbabwe's founding charter if approved in a public referendum.

“We are continuing to look at the draft constitution on Friday. Patrick Chinamasa is taking us through the chapters of the draft constitution. More details will come on Friday,” party spokesman, Rugare Gumbo, said during the week.

Party hardliners, including Tsholotsho North lawmaker Jonathan Moyo want the party to reject the document. Moyo led efforts by Zanu PF for a new constitution in 2000 that was overwhelmingly rebuffed by the people.

The party's conflicting views on the constitution have played out in the public with the hardliners openly criticising their point-man in the constitutional committee, Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana and dismissing the draft as a "scandalous compromise."

But Mangwana has returned fire, saying Moyo - the apparent spokesman for the hardliners - had no expertise or experience in constitutional law. He also scornfully called out another of his critics, labelling him a "blacklisted lawyer."

Gumbo told VOA that the hardliners' position indicates his party is democratic as it permits different viewpoints within its ranks.

However, National Constitutional Assembly chairman and University of Zimbabwe law professor Lovemore Madhuku said Zanu PF would accept the draft because it is in its favour.

"The failure by Zanu PF to finish the deliberations on the constitution had more to do with most people in the politburo," Madhuku said.