News / National
Zimbabwe's new constitution creates a bloated govt
26 May 2013 at 08:43hrs | Views
THE new Constitution, which was signed into law by President Robert Mugabe last week, creates a bloated government and numerous structures which the country's weak economy can barely sustain, some analysts have said.
The new charter allocates 60 "affirmative action" seats for women for the first two terms, creates a Constitutional Court, a National Peace and Reconciliation Commission and a Gender Commission while people with disabilities are also officially represented in government.
It also creates a government structure at provincial level through devolution. Parliament, which is already seen as too big, consists of 210 members and the new constitution reserve an additional 60 seats for women.
It also does not have a ceiling on the number of Cabinet ministers that can be appointed by the President.
This new constitution comes into effect when the country is failing to feed its people, pay its foreign-stationed diplomats or service its international debts.
Critics say this lack of a ceiling could result in the appointment of more ministers by any winning party to reward loyal functionaries with posts.
The new charter allocates 60 "affirmative action" seats for women for the first two terms, creates a Constitutional Court, a National Peace and Reconciliation Commission and a Gender Commission while people with disabilities are also officially represented in government.
It also creates a government structure at provincial level through devolution. Parliament, which is already seen as too big, consists of 210 members and the new constitution reserve an additional 60 seats for women.
This new constitution comes into effect when the country is failing to feed its people, pay its foreign-stationed diplomats or service its international debts.
Critics say this lack of a ceiling could result in the appointment of more ministers by any winning party to reward loyal functionaries with posts.
Source - standard
