Draft constitution expected by next week

A senior aide in the office of Zimbabwe's Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai says the country's inclusive government is expected to unveil a new draft constitution next week as the nation prepares for crucial general elections that will put an end to the current coalition state.

Addressing a meeting Tuesday convened in Washington DC by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), Minister of State Jameson Timba said indications are that the ruling parties have now agreed on all outstanding constitutional matters including devolution, the death penalty, dual citizenship and presidential terms.

Addressing the same meeting, top Zanu-PF official and businessman Chris Mutsvanga said radio stations including VOA Studio 7 broadcasting from abroad should stop their activities as "they are violating some provisions of the unity agreement signed by Zanu-PF and two formations of the Movement for Democratic Change".

National Constitutional Assembly chairman Lovemore Madhuku also told the meeting the world appears to be preoccupied with getting rid of President Robert Mugabe when there are more pressing issues affecting Zimbabwe.

The NED hosted the meeting to assess the situation in Zimbabwe as the country's constitutional reform process is set to come to and end followed by a referendum and national elections.