Copac committee fails to resolve outstanding issues

COPAC'S management committee met in Harare on Monday, but failed to resolve outstanding issues stalling the finalisation of the Constitution-making process.

The committee comprises Global Political Agreement negotiators, Copac co-chairpersons and Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Eric Matinenga.

The three Copac co-chairpersons last night said they only made "major strides" on dual citizenship where they agreed that an Act of Parliament will allow or prohibit dual citizenship.

There was no agreement on devolution of power.

Co-chairperson Cde Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana (Zanu-PF) said the management committee had accepted the draft Constitution handed to them by Copac "as a basis for further discussion".

Copac sources have since said the draft was not different from the one that sparked outrage when it was published by The Herald two months ago.

They argue that the only change was the "syntax and choice of words".
The first draft was rejected and referred back to the drafters as constitutional experts described it as an "orchestrated" attack on the country's moral, cultural and revolutionary pillars.

Said Cde Mangwana: "The document has been accepted and we can only say the management committee has unparked dual citizenship where we agreed that an Act of Parliament should deal with it.

"As for devolution of power, there were quite some discussions and we are close to an agreement."

The management committee will meet again next Monday.

"The issue of dual citizenship has been resolved by leaving everything to an Act of Parliament, but there was no movement on devolution of power.

"We also agreed that anyone who has contributions should forward them to the co-chairpersons and we will consider that input. That should be done between tomorrow (today) and Friday before a management committee meeting slated for Monday," co-chairperson Mr Douglas Mwonzora (MDC-T) said.

Co-chairperson Mr Edward Mkhosi added: "The management committee is still looking at the document, but all I can say is the exercise is still incomplete and we hope that come Monday, a solution will be found."

GPA principals have ordered the management committee to submit the draft this week.

The two contentious issues, devolution and dual citizenship, were rejected by the public during the outreach programme, but they remain "parked" and unresolved matters in the new draft.

The writing of the new Constitution, that started three years ago, has been stalled on several occasions due to disagreements between political parties driving the process.

Stakeholders have accused Copac of turning the process into a money-making venture.