News / National
Zimbabwe should hold elections under the present constitution
03 Jun 2012 at 05:51hrs | Views
Zimbabwe should hold national elections under the present Constitution if the Constitution Select Committee (Copac) fails to come up with a new supreme law within reasonable time, Zanu-PF national chairman Simon Khaya Moyo has said.
Speaking at the Zimbabwe Ex-Political Prisoners, Detainees and Restrictees' Association (ZEPPDRA) national conference at party headquarters yesterday, Khaya Moyo accused some Copac members of delaying the drafting of the proposed new constitution in order to line their pockets.
He said countries such as Kenya and Zambia have demonstrated that polls can be conducted alongside the crafting of a constitution.
"Copac has disappointed us. Some of its members no longer want the process completed because of the lucrative payments they are getting," he said.
"They fear the end of the process would raise questions about their survival."
Khaya Moyo said it was critical for inclusive Government members to resolve any emerging differences to clear the way for the plebiscite.
He said the political arrangement should be disbanded through elections as it had become "inclusive nonsense".
"The inclusive Government was an effort to try to mix oil and water. Copac has not made any efforts to quickly complete the (constitution-making) process," he said.
"However, there is nothing that can stop Zimbabwe from going to elections under the present constitution. Kenyans took more than 15 years to come up with a new constitution, but were able to go for elections.
"Zambia is still in the process of making a new constitution and, still, they went for elections."
Turning to the party, the national chairman said those who fanned factionalism were not true members of the revolutionary outfit and were against its constitution.
He said the squabbles reported in some provinces during the recent district co-ordinating committee (DCC) elections have been sorted as national political commissar Webster Shamu was tasked to handle the matter.
He said party members should be allowed to root for their chosen candidate, adding that Zanu-PF will adhere to resolutions against the imposition of candidates.
"We agreed as a party that whatever structure we have, be it at district, provincial or national level, there must be no imposition of candidates.
"Let the people choose who they want to represent them in all areas. We say no to those using money and other unorthodox means to garner votes. They are, in fact, destroying the party.''
He also urged ZEPPDRA members not to undermine their role as "the bedrock of the party", saying they should remain focused under the principles of President Mugabe and late Vice-President Dr Joshua Nkomo. Also speaking at the conference, association chairman Victor Kurotwi said ZEPPDRA was the foundation of Zanu-PF and should remain united in supporting the party.
Minister of Youth, Indigenisation and Empowerment Saviour Kasukuwere, Zanu-PF Harare province chairman Amos Midzi and ZEPPDRA chairmen from all the country's provinces were among those who attended the conference.
Speaking at the Zimbabwe Ex-Political Prisoners, Detainees and Restrictees' Association (ZEPPDRA) national conference at party headquarters yesterday, Khaya Moyo accused some Copac members of delaying the drafting of the proposed new constitution in order to line their pockets.
He said countries such as Kenya and Zambia have demonstrated that polls can be conducted alongside the crafting of a constitution.
"Copac has disappointed us. Some of its members no longer want the process completed because of the lucrative payments they are getting," he said.
"They fear the end of the process would raise questions about their survival."
Khaya Moyo said it was critical for inclusive Government members to resolve any emerging differences to clear the way for the plebiscite.
He said the political arrangement should be disbanded through elections as it had become "inclusive nonsense".
"The inclusive Government was an effort to try to mix oil and water. Copac has not made any efforts to quickly complete the (constitution-making) process," he said.
"Zambia is still in the process of making a new constitution and, still, they went for elections."
Turning to the party, the national chairman said those who fanned factionalism were not true members of the revolutionary outfit and were against its constitution.
He said the squabbles reported in some provinces during the recent district co-ordinating committee (DCC) elections have been sorted as national political commissar Webster Shamu was tasked to handle the matter.
He said party members should be allowed to root for their chosen candidate, adding that Zanu-PF will adhere to resolutions against the imposition of candidates.
"We agreed as a party that whatever structure we have, be it at district, provincial or national level, there must be no imposition of candidates.
"Let the people choose who they want to represent them in all areas. We say no to those using money and other unorthodox means to garner votes. They are, in fact, destroying the party.''
He also urged ZEPPDRA members not to undermine their role as "the bedrock of the party", saying they should remain focused under the principles of President Mugabe and late Vice-President Dr Joshua Nkomo. Also speaking at the conference, association chairman Victor Kurotwi said ZEPPDRA was the foundation of Zanu-PF and should remain united in supporting the party.
Minister of Youth, Indigenisation and Empowerment Saviour Kasukuwere, Zanu-PF Harare province chairman Amos Midzi and ZEPPDRA chairmen from all the country's provinces were among those who attended the conference.
Source - zimpapers
