Zimbabwe announces committee for new Constitution

Zimbabwe announces committee for new Constitution

• Jonathan Moyo: While Zanu PF has legitimacy but lacks credibility, NCA lacks both

Posted to the web: 13/04/2009 00:16:12
ZIMBABWE'S Speaker of Parliament Sunday announced a 25-member committee drawn from both members of the house to oversee the drafting of a new Constitution.

Drawn from both President Robert Mugabe's Zanu PF party and Prime minister Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change, the committee will have its first meeting on Monday.

The select committee sprang from the power sharing agreement signed on September 15, between Mugabe and Prime minister Morgan Tsvangirai, said Lovemore Moyo, speaker of the house.

The 25 members of the committee are, from ZANU PF Flora Bhuka, Walter Chidakwa, Chindori Chininga, Joram Gumbo, Paul Mangwana, Martin Khumalo, Tambudzai Mohadi, Olivia Muchena, Monica Mutsvangwa and Thokozile Mathuthu; from MDC-T Amos Chibaya, Gladys Gombani Dube, Ian Kay, Cephas Makuyana, Evelyn Masaiti, Editor Matamisa, Douglas Mwonzora, Jabulani Ndlovu, Brian Tshuma, Gift Chimanikire and Jessei Majome; then David Coltart, Dalumazi Khumalo and Edward Tshotsho Mkhosi (from MDC-M); and Fortune Charumbira (President of the Chiefs Council).

"A Constitution is a living and sacred document that we should all be proud of," Moyo told reporters.

The aim is to have a draft tabled by February 2010, with a referendum on July and a new constitution adopted by the end of the year. The draft would have to be introduced to parliament by October next year, said Moyo.

Moyo said the new committee's approach would be informed by a "rejection of the draft referendum of 2000 draft constitution."

Zimbabwe held a constitutional referendum in 2000 but the proposal was rejected as critics said the published draft gave Mugabe to much powers.

That led to a wave of farm invasions in which commercial farmers were pushed of the land, accused by Mugabe supporters of having lobbied against the proposal.

Representatives from rights groups, churches, the media, women's groups, labour and the farming community will help the committee's members draft the new constitution. - AFP
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