We are done - Copac says

THE Parliamentary Select Committee (Copac) has said it has finished the national report of what people said during the constitution making outreach program.

Copac's information and Publicity Sub-Committee chairperson Jessie Majome announced today in Harare.

Further, drafting of the country's supreme law will start soon after a workshop on the compilation is made.

The constitution making process started in January 2010 with a stakeholder's conference which was followed by the outreach program on 24 June of the same year.

After the outreach, the heavily funded Copac did data capturing, and district qualitative and quantitative reports.

The process was punctuated with fighting amongst the three political parties, Zanu Pf and the Movement for Democratic Change formations over processes of doing the work.

The finishing of the national report is good news to Zimbabweans who have long-waited for legislative reforms that will see them having elections under a 'level' operational environment.

Copac has for unknown reasons failed and or neglected to make a single report to the House of Assembly as a Parliamentary Committee. Its officials, mainly lawmakers have been heard crying for their payouts from the Outreach program- nothing else.

Civic society activists like Professor Lovemore Madhuku have opposed the Copac led Constution making process arguing that is it is not inclusive and is impartial.

Copac has denied the allegations and insisted on its work.

COPAC is composed of 25 members of the 7th Parliament of Zimbabwe who were selected from the three political parties (MDC T, MDC and Zanu PF) to spearhead the crafting of a new Constitution. The 25 members are referred to as the Select Committee of Parliament on the new Constitution.

The Select Committee is led by three Co-chairpersons who were selected from each party, namely, Paul Mangwana from ZANU PF, Douglas Mwonzora from MDC T and Edward Mkhosi from MDC.

Other members of the Committee are: Flora Buka, Amos Chibaya, Walter Chidakwa,  Gift Chimanikire, Edward Chindori Chininga, David Coltart, Gladys Dube,  Joram Gumbo, Ian Kay, Martin Khumalo, Believe Gaule,  Jessie Majome, Cephas Makuyana, Chief Fortune Charumbira, Thokozile Mathuthu, Rorana Muchihwa, Editor Matamisa, Tambudzani Mohadi,  Olivia Muchena, Monica Mutsvangwa, Jabulani Ndlovu and Brian Tshuma.