The parliamentary select committee which will soon deliver a draft of a new constitution for Zimbabwe has dismissed reports the document will set an age limit of 70 years for the presidency and a limit of two terms in office for the post.
Select Committee Co-Chairman Edward Mkhosi of the Movement for Democratic Change formation of Industry Minister Welshman Ncube said his panel has not yet deliberated on that question but will make sure the will of the Zimbabwean people is respected.
Recent media reports said the new constitution will bar those over 70 and those who have served two terms from seeking the office of president, which of course would disqualify incumbent President Robert Mugabe, 87, from seeking another five-year term.
Mr. Mugabe, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara met on Wednesday and agreed that they would now monitor the constitution-making process closely. Presentation of a final draft, expected in the next week or two, would set in motion planning for review by parliament and a referendum.
Mkhosi told reporter Jonga Kandemiiri that drafters have now completed work on 18 out of 19 chapters of the new constitution and the committee is now reviewing the draft.
