A dark day for Zimbabwe democracy

A dark day for Zimbabwe democracy

• Parliament passes amendment bill

• Jonathan Moyo: Constitutional madness will not save Zanu PF

• MDC ambush Zanu PF with draft constitution

• Zim tables bill to amend constitution

• Lawyers condemn constitutional amendment

• Aspiring Zanu PF senator dies of Aids

• Alex Magaisa: Constitutional amendment spells doom for economy

• Chinamasa admits Zanu PF has no two thirds majority

• Zimbabwe opposition snubs Mugabe

• Zimbabwe senate will last only 5 years

• Moyo fights senate constitutional amendment

• Mugabe recalls Zimbabwe parliament

• Zanu PF accelerates Senate plans

• Mugabe appoints nephew to new Cabinet

• Mugabe to extend term

• Moyo on opposition benches as MPs sworn in

• Nkomo new Speaker of Parliament

• Mugabe appoints governors, Cabinet expected

• Mugabe vows to rule for a century

• Zanu PF's victory rejected, MDC vows defiance

• Britain condemns 'flawed' Zanu PF victory

• Mugabe surges towards two thirds majority

By Paul Themba Nyathi

THE passing of the Constitutional Amendment Bill (NO.17) by the Zanu PF majority in parliament represents a flagrant disregard for democratic rights, standards and processes.

A constitution should be a symbol of national consensus. This consensus can only be established if a constitution is formulated in full consultation with the people. Zanu PF was presented with an opportunity to work with the people and formulation such a constitution.

It rejected this opportunity and instead doggedly pursued a piecemeal approach to constitutional reform; an approach which essentially aimed to ensure that the constitution is shamelessly corrupted to support the political objectives of the ruling elite at the expense of the interests of the people.

The creation of a Senate is in no way a move to improve legislative oversight. It has simply been created as an extension of presidential patronage, aimed at soothing bruised egos within the ruling party.

The new constitutional provisions represent a serious assault on citizens’ basic rights and freedoms. The Government will now be able to seize the passports of its critics. It will also have the power to acquire, without compensation, any land which it defines as ‘agricultural land’. These arbitrary powers are an assault on property rights. Land in peri-urban and urban areas could now be subject to compulsory purchase. Under the amendment, victims will have no right of appeal.

This is a sad day for Zimbabwean democracy. On April 18 we celebrated 25 years of independence. 5 months later, the party which claims to be the custodian of the values which guided our liberation struggle has systematically abused the constitution to strip citizens of their hard earned rights.

For the MDC, and the people of Zimbabwe, the amended constitution is nothing but a politically partisan document, totally lacking in legitimacy. Its only contribution will be an intensification of the crisis of governance in Zimbabwe.

We trust regional leaders will take note of today’s developments and reconsider the merits of existing policy approaches towards the Zimbabwe question.

It is indeed true that as a region we will all sink or swim together.
Paul Themba Nyathi is MDC Secretary for Information and Publicity
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