News / National
COPAC agrees on methodologies to review first draft constitution
29 May 2012 at 00:05hrs | Views
COPAC has finally agreed on the methodologies to use in the review of the first draft constitution after reaching a deadlock last week.
The full select committee met in Harare this Monday to review two chapters of the draft constitution and discuss how input from political parties and stakeholders can be included in the draft constitution.
In an interview, COPAC co-chairperson, Cde Paul Mangwana said an agreement on how the document will be reviewed has finally been reached, adding that this will begin by auditing the document with a view to ensure that instructions given to the drafters were fully adhered to.
"We have agreed on the methodologies to use in the review of the draft document. We are saying we first have to audit on how the instructions we gave to the drafters have been followed fully.
"This will ensure that the views of the people were adequately captured," said Cde Mangwana.
Asked on whether Zimbabweans can trust COPAC to deliver a people driven constitution another COPAC co â€"chairperson, Mr Douglas Mwonzora put the blame on political parties which he said continue to bring in new issues.
"We cannot tell when the Constitution will be delivered because this is a conclusive process and political parties keep on bringing in issues that have to be negotiated, so this is a long process and we appeal for patience," Mr Mwonzora said.
Though COPAC has been appealing to Zimbabweans for patience, many have now lost faith in the committee with each passing day bringing doubts whether there will indeed be a new constitution for the country.
The constitution making process which many believe has been turned into a money spinning venture has dragged for a long time and calls to disband COPAC have been mounting.
The full select committee met in Harare this Monday to review two chapters of the draft constitution and discuss how input from political parties and stakeholders can be included in the draft constitution.
In an interview, COPAC co-chairperson, Cde Paul Mangwana said an agreement on how the document will be reviewed has finally been reached, adding that this will begin by auditing the document with a view to ensure that instructions given to the drafters were fully adhered to.
"We have agreed on the methodologies to use in the review of the draft document. We are saying we first have to audit on how the instructions we gave to the drafters have been followed fully.
"This will ensure that the views of the people were adequately captured," said Cde Mangwana.
Asked on whether Zimbabweans can trust COPAC to deliver a people driven constitution another COPAC co â€"chairperson, Mr Douglas Mwonzora put the blame on political parties which he said continue to bring in new issues.
"We cannot tell when the Constitution will be delivered because this is a conclusive process and political parties keep on bringing in issues that have to be negotiated, so this is a long process and we appeal for patience," Mr Mwonzora said.
Though COPAC has been appealing to Zimbabweans for patience, many have now lost faith in the committee with each passing day bringing doubts whether there will indeed be a new constitution for the country.
The constitution making process which many believe has been turned into a money spinning venture has dragged for a long time and calls to disband COPAC have been mounting.
Source - Chronicle
