Zim's final constitution draft expected by month-end

PRINCIPAL drafters of the new constitution have produced the first draft proposal of the new supreme law that is now being reviewed by the Constitution Select Committee with the assistance of technical experts. The final draft is expected to be out by the end of this month.

The draft proposal contains 18 chapters.

Addressing journalists in Harare yesterday, Copac co-chairperson Mr Edward Mkhosi of the MDC, said the draft proposal was still "work in progress" until approved by Copac.

"This is a draft proposal not the final document because we are still reviewing it," he said.

"No suggested positions in the first proposal can be taken as final. We will be checking whether the drafters put what we recommended and anything outside that will be chucked out. If Copac approves the draft proposal then we are going to the next stage which is the Second All Stakeholders Conference."

He said the final draft was expected to be out by the end of this month.

Mr Mkhosi said the final draft would be availed to all Zimbabweans to comment at the Second All Stakeholders Conference, expected at the end of March.

He dismissed as "mischievous" reports by some sections of the media that the new constitution may prevent people who have served at least two terms and those above the age of 70 from contesting presidential election.

He said the select committee had not yet deliberated on, among other issues, the age limit or terms of the office of the President.

"In relation to the story we have seen in a local daily, it is premature at this stage to conclude that Zimbabweans, through the outreach consultations stated that people who have served at least two terms and those above the age of 70 will not be able to contest in the presidential elections," he said.

"Neither Copac nor its co-chairs gave the information related to the substance of the presidential qualifications or disqualifications to the press as this is still work in progress."

Co-chairperson, Cde Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana (Zanu-PF) added: "The media should not take matters that are not discussed and misinform the nation. The issues of the executive have not been discussed anywhere and this is shocking to hear someone mentioning about that."

He said about US$4 million would be needed for the Second All Stakeholders conference.

"The issue of funding is a problem but we understand the Ministry of Finance has assured us that we will be covered," he said.

"From there we will need about US$2, 9 million publicising the constitution while a lot of money is also needed for the referendum. We mostly experience problems at those exercises funded by Government."

Mr Douglas Mwonzora of the MDC-T said the availability of resources will see Copac completing the constitution making process "soon".

"We have justified the need for resources at each and every stage and if funds permit there won't be further delays. We are committed to completing the people driven supreme law soon," he said.

The drafting of the constitution has on several occasions been suspended because of disagreements between political parties.Zanu-PF was accusing the drafters of failing to use information gathered from the outreach programme.

Some of the issues that had been ignored include land, citizenship and minority rights.