Madhuku plans to extend his NCA leadership tenure

NATIONAL Constitutional Assembly chairperson Professor Lovemore Madhuku has declared that he will not relinquish his post until a referendum to Zimbabwe's constitution-making process is complete.

In the event that the referendum is not held this year, Prof Madhuku says the NCA leadership's tenure would be extended.

His assertions came ahead of the expiry of his term of office tomorrow.

The NCA must hold its congress by December this year.

Prof Madhuku's stance has drawn sharp criticism from some NCA members, civic society and political analysts who accuse the University of Zimbabwe law lecturer of preaching what he does not practice.

Political observers have castigated him for claiming to be a proponent of democracy but trashes it when it is convenient for him.

In an interview yesterday, Prof Madhuku claimed that the NCA was unanimous that the fight for the referendum should be executed under his leadership, although he has argued elsewhere that other leaders should stand down when their tenure is over.

The NCA has, however, refused to participate in the current constitution-making process, so it is not clear how Professor Madhuku can link what is happening in an independent civil service organisation with what is happening in political circles.

The pressure group has vowed to campaign against the draft constitution in the referendum.

"There will be no NCA elections before (the) referendum. Our constitution allows for deferment. We are entitled to go up to December before we can hold another annual general meeting," he said.

"If there is no referendum by December our AGM will certainly extend the leadership. Our membership is unanimous that the referendum should be fought under my leadership."

He said the December timeframe for the NCA congress was agreed on the assumption that the referendum would have been completed.

"There would be no change of leadership until after referendum. It will be only after referendum that I will handover power to another person and that is unanimous within the NCA," he declared.

However, some disgruntled NCA members have accused Prof Madhuku of trying to make a repeat of a 2005 congress where he allegedly manipulated the organisation's constitution by "secretly" amending it to extend his stay at the helm.

They accused Prof Madhuku of clinging to power after he added another term. Prof Madhuku has since served the mandatory two-year terms twice.

University of Zimbabwe political scientist, Professor John Makumbe slammed Prof Madhuku.

"No Zimbabwean is indispensable as what he seems to be suggesting. Perhaps the next chair was going to fight for either a 'Yes' or 'No' vote which-ever way they want in the referendum," Prof Makumbe said.

"He should allow change to occur and instruct the next chair to do even better than him."

Another political analyst Eldred Masunungure also rapped Prof Madhuku for allegedly showing poor leadership qualities.

"That's very unfortunate because it will discredit the quality of leadership that had developed during his tenure. A good leader should nurture his followers or subordinates to take over from him any time, you cannot be someone who cannot be substituted," he said.

Political analyst Gabriel Chaibva said the NCA has discredited itself because of people like Prof Madhuku who cling to power unconstitutionally.

"For a person who has called for democracy, clamouring for transparency, it is quite surprising," said Mr Chaibva.

Chaibva noted that Prof Madhuku seeks to use the same "chicanery" tactics he employed at the 2005 congress.

Zanu-Ndonga spokesperson Mr Reketayi Semwayo castigated Prof Madhuku for failing to practice what he preaches. "That is wrong. He should give way to others," he said.

Prof Madhuku amended the constitution in 2005 by extending the two-year terms to five years.