COPAC, civic society signs memorandum of agreement

The Constitution Select Committee (COPAC) has signed a memorandum of agreement with over 60 civic organisations.

The agreement is expected to guide the organisations' conduct during the referendum campaign.

As preparations for the impending constitutional referendum gather momentum, COPAC co-chairpersons Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana and Mr Douglas Mwonzora held a meeting with leaders of civic organisations in Harare on Thursday.

In an interview after the meeting, Mangwana said representatives of the civic organisations have agreed that any material that they are going to print will have to be approved by COPAC.

"The organisations have signed a memorandum of agreement on how they will conduct their campaigns and we have set guidelines on how we expect them to disseminate their campaign material to members of the public," said Mangwana.

On the other hand, Mr Mwonzora said the majority of civic organisations in the country attended the meeting and have thrown their weight behind the constitution.

"We have allowed civic organisations to print copies of the draft constitution but have given them guidelines to follow," Mr Mwonzora said.

However, the National Constitutional Assembly led by Professor Lovemore Madhuku did not attend.

The referendum is scheduled for the 16th of March.

This will set the stage for general elections expected to be held before the end of the year.