News / National
Lack of political scuttle implementation of new constitution- Mashakada
12 Jan 2017 at 05:21hrs | Views
MDC-T senior official Tapiwa Mashakada has said the lack of political will has scuttled the implementation of the new constitution.
"Constitutional Amendment number 1 of 2017: The constitution is the supreme law of the land. In the case of Zimbabwe the current constitution is a product of a rigorous process that culminated in a referendum that adopted the document," Mashakada said.
"Sadly though the implementation of the constitution has been hamstrung by lack of political will. I don't think its a cash problem because they are many development partners who are queuing to bank roll its implementation phase. Look at the amount of aid received from the Royal Danish Embassy. The Royal Danish Embassy has been bankrolling institutions of justice delivery across the country. Even in remote areas like Bikita where the embassy built a fabulous magistrates court complex."
He said tack to my issue, the new constitution provides for the selection of judges through public interviews and thereafter the judicial services commission will recommend names to the President for his consent.
"Recently in Dec 2016 interviews for the post of Chief Justice were held in accordance with the provisions of the constitution. The process has now been suspiciously stalled by a court action by one University of Zimbabwe Law Student who has challenged the constitutionality and legality of the public interview system. My question is why now?" he said.
"All along the system.has been working. Now the system is no longer wanted for the post of Chief Justice. Why why why??. The answer is about giving back powers to the President to directly appoint his Chief Justice. Is the Constitutional Amendment no 1 0f 2017 not a claw back amendment? How independent is the court action challenging public interviews?"
"Constitutional Amendment number 1 of 2017: The constitution is the supreme law of the land. In the case of Zimbabwe the current constitution is a product of a rigorous process that culminated in a referendum that adopted the document," Mashakada said.
"Sadly though the implementation of the constitution has been hamstrung by lack of political will. I don't think its a cash problem because they are many development partners who are queuing to bank roll its implementation phase. Look at the amount of aid received from the Royal Danish Embassy. The Royal Danish Embassy has been bankrolling institutions of justice delivery across the country. Even in remote areas like Bikita where the embassy built a fabulous magistrates court complex."
"Recently in Dec 2016 interviews for the post of Chief Justice were held in accordance with the provisions of the constitution. The process has now been suspiciously stalled by a court action by one University of Zimbabwe Law Student who has challenged the constitutionality and legality of the public interview system. My question is why now?" he said.
"All along the system.has been working. Now the system is no longer wanted for the post of Chief Justice. Why why why??. The answer is about giving back powers to the President to directly appoint his Chief Justice. Is the Constitutional Amendment no 1 0f 2017 not a claw back amendment? How independent is the court action challenging public interviews?"
Source - Byo24News
