Zanu PF Scuttles Constitution Making Process Again

  • Jonga Kandemiiri
The constitution-making process has been thrown into disarray following the refusal by Zanu PF representatives in a committee tasked by the principals to tackle issues that came from the Second All Stakeholders’ Conference, to sign a final report confirming that the committee has agreed on all outstanding issues.

The sources said the two Zanu PF representatives in the committee - Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa and Copac co-chairman Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana - almost exchanged blows, with the former accusing Mangwana of undermining him.

Chinamasa is said to have demanded that Mangwana should respect his views when discussing issues related to the constitution-making process.

The committee had earlier met Wednesday afternoon and noted that all outstanding issues had been resolved.

The sources said Chinamasa changed his mind at the last minute when the committee was about to sign the agreement which was to be handed over to the governing party principals.

Chinamasa is reportedly to have strongly protested saying he no longer agreed with his colleagues over draft proposals to include devolution in the new supreme law of Zimbabwe.

The source said the committee will go ahead with its plans to meet the principals Thursday without an agreed and signed report.

President Robert Mugabe, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara met Monday to review progress on the draft constitution. They had also instructed the committee to report to them by Wednesday so that they can map the way forward.

Industry Minister Welshman Ncube of the other MDC formation was reportedly left out of the Monday meeting.