Zanu-PF will reject flawed constitution: Mugabe

The state media on Sunday reported that Robert Mugabe and his Zanu-PF have said they will not accept a constitution that does not capture public opinion and, instead, advances the interests of individual political parties.

Mugabe's remarks come in the wake of reports that a draft constitution produced by a team of experts commissioned by the Constitution Select Committee (Copac) contains a clause that determines the eligibility of presidential candidates based on the number of terms served.

The President in an interview last week said indications were that the MDC conceived the idea because of its fear of electoral defeat.

He said the inclusive Government principals expected to receive refined copies of the draft from the management committee overseeing the constitution-making process.

"We heard about the issue (the draft constitution), and it was also read to me. I am yet to look at or consider what has been written in the draft by the lawyers commissioned to write," he said.

"I think some of the issues are just their own ideas or ideas that were slotted in by those who thought this would help them as parties, but did not come from the outreach programme to gather public views.

"We wanted to get the views of the people. Whether President Mugabe should stand (for the next election) or gays should wed is something else. If the President stands, what prevents the constitution from going forward? It is the thinking of the MDC. They are afraid. They are just cowards. Vanotya kudyiwa nekuti VaMugabe vanovatya (They are afraid of being defeated by President Mugabe."

President Mugabe said the outreach programme was specifically targeted at gathering public opinion on the proposed new constitution.

He said Zanu-PF would reject a document that fails to honour this fundamental principle.

"The issue is that what is not the views of the people and not in the present constitution or has not been discussed, we will reject.

"So, such a constitution would be thrown out by Zanu-PF. We would not accept that. They erred if it is like that. But I am yet to get sight of the draft. I hear there are only three chapters that have been scrutinised in terms of how the draft was constructed.

"It is being refined; they have not yet completed the exercise. As the three principals, we had said we want the thoughts of the management committee of the entire constitution-making process. So, we are yet to get the draft from the committee."

On the security sector, the President said the powers to appoint security chiefs were vested in him alone.

He said Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander General Constantine Chiwenga; Zimbabwe National Army Commander Lieutenant-General Philip Valerio Sibanda; Air Force of Zimbabwe Commander Air Marshal Perence Shiri and Commissioner-General of Police Augustine Chihuri had proven records of defending the country.

"I don't know why the appointment of security chiefs was being discussed. How were they appointed in the first place? They continue to be appointed by those who appointed them in the first place.

"This is an important issue to do with national security. It is an issue that rests with the President only. The President is the Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.

"Musha haungashaye zvinohukura zvirikure. Hazvirume imiwe! (A home cannot avoid barking dogs)."

Mugabe challenged the likes of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai to suggest candidates that could equal the security chiefs still in service.

He said national security was a critical area that required high levels of skill.

"Do they (Tsvangirai and Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara) know the meaning of defence forces?

"Just consider where they came from and then consider where we have come from. Analyse, who has gone through the grill? Which ones are conversant with war tactics? Which ones know how to handle a country and ward off the enemy?

"The commanders Chiwenga, Sibanda, Shiri, Chihuri, all four are part of the cream from the warfront. Ask Tsvangirai to produce candidates of similar calibre. This is just talk, just politicking."

President Mugabe also told The Sunday Mail that national elections would be held this year.

He said Zanu-PF was ready for the polls, adding that work would be undertaken to gather the necessary resources.

He dismissed suggestions that the proposed plebiscite would be deferred, saying polls could be held at any given time.

"Elections can happen at any time. Anytime can be election time in any country," he said.