MDC not involved in drafting Constitutional Amendment No. 19
The MDC dismisses Zanu PF’s frivolous and mischievous claims that the draft Constitutional Amendment No. 19 is an inclusive Bill and has the input of all the three political parties.
Contrary to reports being peddled by Zanu PF, the draft does not have any input from the MDC and we are not privy of its contents. We have never seen the draft and we are surprised that such key positions on the way forward are being communicated through the media.
As far as we are concerned, the draft that has been sent to Mbeki is a Zanu PF document with Zanu PF perspectives. Our draft is also ready and will be sent to Mbeki for consideration.
The final Bill to be tabled before parliament should be inclusive of the three main political parties’ views. The Bill should also be premised on the GPA document initialed on the 11th of September 2008 as the one signed on the 15th of September was tempered with.
When the MDC National Council met in Harare last week, the party resolved that it would not get into an inclusive government with Zanu PF unless the Constitutional Amendment No. 19 had been passed into an Act by Parliament and all the outstanding issues have been resolved.
The MDC’s outstanding issues including the appointment of Provincial Governors, senior government officials such as Permanent Secretaries and Ambassadors have been prevented from discussion by Zanu PF.
Other sticking issues include; the equitable distribution of ministerial portfolios and the composition and constitution of the National Security Council. The MDC’s also calls for the immediate convening of Parliament to carry out its normal mandate of overseeing the Executive.
MDC Information and Publicity Department
Via Press Release
November 20th, 2008 01:40
Once again the MDC is back pedalling and trying to cover lost ground. Amendment Number 19 should be fully debated and the consultative process must start now. The people will endorse any transparent system of managing the transition. The public review should have been done before engaging Mbeki and not after. Quickly show us your draft bill and the people will show you the way. There is no time to waste. Well done on joining the GNU and moving forward with our country.
November 20th, 2008 06:01
I still think Morgan is using the right strategy. This CA 19 draft is just another Mugabe time wasting exercise. Morgan’s gone for the big guns to get aid, fast. His diplomacy skills are impeccable. His tactical manouvering are unmatched. He continuously surprises Zanu PF who then have to run for the hills to look for counter measures. If anyone deserves the presidency of Zimbabwe, for sheer determination, guts and intelligence, it’s Morgan.
Only then can the suffering masses begin to heal. If only Mugabe and his worn out clowns would realise that the game is up.