Constitution Outreach: News Round-Up, 2 July – 7 July

These are media extracts featuring news on the constitutional outreach process between 2 July and 7 July. To review previous news items, or follow updates daily, please visit the Constitution Resource page on the Sokwanele website. Please note that links to sources and full articles are also available on the resource page.

2 July 2010 - cont

Zimbabwe’s ZANU-PF Says NGOs, West Sabotaging Constitution Rewrite Process

The former ruling ZANU-PF party of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has accused Western governments of trying to sabotage the country’s troubled constitutional revision process [...] ZANU-PF spokesman Rugare Gumbo told VOA Studio 7 reporter Blessing Zulu that non-governmental groups are working with Western governments to derail the constitutional revision process. But spokesman Nelson Chamisa of the MDC formation of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said it is clear that ZANU-PF supporters are responsible for disturbances of outreach meetings. The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition said that despite widespread confusion, logistical hitches and intimidation, the process must go on so that a new constitution can be drafted [Via VOA News].

Tsvangirai’s MDC faces risk losing credibilty: Madhuku

National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) chairman, Lovemore Madhuku, said there were unbridgeable differences over ideas for a new constitution for the country. He said it appeared Tsvangirai had believed that the formation of the unity government would lead to the writing of a new constitution. Drafting a new constitution for the country was one of the key tenets of a power sharing deal agreed by President Mugabe and Tsvangirai after the inconclusive 2008 general elections. However, Madhuku claimed the whole process had since degenerated into a farce. “I have reports from reliable sources that whenever the constitutional consultation team is headed to a particular area, (it) is often completely evacuated. The 700 people involved in the (constitutional reform) exercise have no option but to just sit in a hotel in Harare. I can assure you that no people-driven constitution is being written”. Madhuku’s NCA has been campaigning for a new constitution but refused to back the current effort to write a new charter for the country arguing it was not “people-driven” [Via New Zimbabwe].

Outreach: Chiefs up in arms over status

FinGaz reports on divisions between different political groupings, and reflects on the role of traditional leaders in the outreach programme: “The traditional leaders are dismayed that after being excluded from active politics through the Traditional Leaders Act, they are also being shunted out of the constitution-making process. While many interest groups have muscled their way into the various outreach teams, chiefs have been left clutching at straws without any one representing their interests. Why, they ask, are NGOs, whose constituency is never known, being allowed more representation at the expense of traditional leaders who command huge rural constituencies and are very popular? The traditional leaders warn that it is futile for any institution to dream of ending problems of violence without their direct involvement. It is their role, they say, to spearhead peace-building initiatives and national healing, but they are either being sidelined altogether or simply being ignored despite their close connection to the perpetrators and victims of violence. They say the problem is that once government appears to ignore them, people in turn treated them with contempt. They are viewed as a cultural relic, hence, the crisis of “values and identity”. Their unanimous position is that elections are not a priority because they will not resolve the country’s problems. The environment is not yet conducive for fresh elections, they say, given their divisive nature. What should be given priority is national healing led by traditional leaders” [Via The Financial Gazette].

NCA on the writing of the new constitution

In a National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) Press release that also outlines the NCA’s guiding principles, the organisation makes this statement: “The National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) wishes to re-affirm its position regarding the writing of the new constitution for Zimbabwe. In 1999 we gathered in Chitungwiza at the National Working People’s Convention as well as the first People’s Constitutional Convention . The constitutional making process is also clearly outlined in the Zimbabwe People’s Charter and again re-emphasized in Chitungwiza at the 2nd People’s Constitutional Convention in July of last year. We resolved that there should be an inclusive and broad-based constitution-making process in Zimbabwe; to foster, protect and deepen a culture of human rights and respect for the rule of law in Zimbabwe and to implement, incorporate and protect human rights [...]The NCA, through the Take Charge Campaign have already started the campaign for the rejection of a draft constitution that will emerge from the fraudulent process currently underway and led by selfish greedy politicians from ZANU PF and MDC. We continue to be disappointed by fly by night and aimless civic groups that are aiding this money spinning process but we also understand that they have sold our principles because of their insatiable appetite for gold and silver as well as their disgraceful adore for donor funds. Most of this misguided organizations are busy sending false reports lying that there is progress in the government led confused constitutional making process while events on the grounds have clearly proven that the Mwonzora-Mangwana process is a monumental charade. They are at pains to justify huge amounts of money they got from donors under the false pretence of making a constitution for Zimbabwe [Via National Constitutional Assembly - Press Release].

COPAC bosses face axe over chaos

Heads are set to roll at the Constitution Select Committee (COPAC) as it emerged this week that the Management Committee of the constitution-making process is seething with anger over the chaos characterising the exercise [...] Eric Matinenga, the Minister of Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs, yesterday said concerns had been raised within COPAC and from the outreach teams over the poor management of the exercise. Douglas Mwonzora, one of the co-chairpersons of COPAC, said the committee responsible for the outreach met on Tuesday to review progress on the consultative process with a view to ringing some changes [Via The Financial Gazette].

Mangwana U-turn on Copac violence

Co-Chairperson of the Constitutional Select Committee Paul Munyaradzi Mangwana, the Zanu PF representative in Copac, told journalists yesterday that reports of chaos and violence were a figment of the media’s imagination. Last week, Mangwana confirmed to NewsDay cases of violence that had erupted during constitutional public hearings in Mashonaland West. “I can confirm that in Chinhoyi there was an almost volatile situation when one of the political parties was being suspected of using Copac vehicles to lobby its party members,” Mangwana said. He said Copac experienced problems in Mashonaland West where people thought it was unsafe to participate without police presence. But yesterday he made a U-turn saying: “We have had meetings with the Select Committee where our team leaders have reported that there was no violence.” Numerous incidents of chaos, intimidation and violence were reported around the country and confirmed by civic organisations, politicians and other eyewitnesses [...] Mangwana said civic society was not part of the Copac project and whatever they reported should not be taken seriously [Via NewsDay].

NGOs accused of meddling in Copac outreach programme

Non-governmental organisations, among them the Zimbabwe Election Support Network and Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, are allegedly meddling in the constitution outreach programme. This has raised fears that they want to influence people to reject the new constitution. The co-team leader for the Midlands outreach team, Cde Joram Gumbo, told Chronicle in an interview yesterday that the smooth running of the outreach programme was being threatened by NGOs who were “invading” areas to be covered by the Copac teams in advance. He said the NGOs, especially ZESN and the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, were getting into centres for meetings ahead of the Copac teams uninvited, thereby inducing fear in the participants. “They are being dropped by their cars all over the areas that we are to cover ahead of us. These NGOs’ presence is intimidating people. They will be taking down some notes and people feel intimidated and they have since expressed their concern over this to us,” said Cde Gumbo. “At one such meeting in Chief Sogwala on Thursday last week, the people there demanded that the NGOs be thrown out of the meeting but we told them that we can’t do that as these people were Zimbabweans with a right to be anywhere they so wished.” Cde Gumbo said the NGOs appear to have an ulterior motive in their actions as they have ignored Copac’s outreach teams to wait for their turn to air their views. “They have interpreted any attempt to keep a distance from the Copac meetings as intimidation. They hinted to us that they could influence people to vote ‘No’ and reject the new constitution, if ever they are kept away from the outreach work [Via The Chronicle - state controlled media]

Constitution views

The Zimbabwean publishes a selection of constitutional views sent in by its readers: “Here in Shamva, we are being barred from saying out our views and ideas for inclusion in the new constitution. Village heads have told us that they alone shall speak on behalf of everyone during public consultation meetings. Disappointed.”; “Let us not be cowed by these Zanu (PF) cowards, let’s defy their intimidation messages and go ahead to write a constitution ine zvido zvedu (that contains our views and wishes). Anonymous”; “I am appealing to all Zimbabweans to push for inclusion in the new constitution the following issues that affect us all: a bill of children and women’s rights, limited presidential powers and a cap on presidential terms to a maximum of two, press freedom, dual citizenship and a review of marriage and inheritance laws. Anonymous” ; “How can we write a people centred constitution when Zanu (PF) has unleashed chaos here? Civic society bodies should monitor the outreach exercise and produce a report before the referendum so that we know whether to vote yes or no. Chirandu, Murehwa” [Via The Zimbabwean]

On, off outreach programme, off again

FinGaz comment on the [space]continuing [space]problems with the outreach programme: “The numerous problems dogging the constitution-making process have, to all intents and purposes, put the whole exercise in doubt. Chances are that the next elections could be held without a new constitution, a scenario that might fail to pull the country from its current predicament. The outcomes of previous elections — be they presidential or parliamentary — have been dogged by controversy revolving around issues of legitimacy. The contestation for power beyond the ballot box has therefore resulted in the country being ostracised from the international community with devastating consequences on its economy [...] Zimbabwe Human Rights executive director, Okay Machisa, said the country might end up with a confused constitution should COPAC fail to put its house in order: “However, there is still time for people to unite and understand that this document is not for politicians, youth militia and others who would want to wake up and say it should not go ahead, but a document for the people of Zimbabwe. We should act now or risk going to the next elections with the Lancaster House constitution,” he said” [Via The Financial Gazette]

3 July 2010

Villagers snub Copac outreach efforts

The Standard reports on the apathy towards the constitution outreach programme from people in Mashonaland East: [space] “Copac co-chairperson Douglas Mwonzora (MDC-T) yesterday said he had received reports that villagers snubbed meetings in Goromonzi. “We have been advised that there was terrible apathy in Goromonzi [...] Reports are that there was a very low turn-out generally and we don’t know why this is so. We will have to look at that.” The Standard quotes some responses from residents it interviewed: “At Goromonzi shopping centre, a group of women and some youths sitting at a veranda of a shop which had the Copac schedule of meetings to be held in the area pasted on one of its walls, pointed to another distant shop saying that was where they had seen the Copac notice although they did not bother to read it. “We saw their poster pasted on the wall of a shop over there,” one of the women said. “Vane shungu nazvo ndivo vari kuenda (those who care about the meetings are attending).” When The Standard drew the group’s attention to the poster close to them, one of the youths laughed saying, “Uku ndiko kunonzi kugarira constitution yacho, tingadii? (We are sitting on the constitution, what else can we do?). [space] Mwonzora said Copac may have to re-organise the meetings: “If we find out that people were genuinely unaware of the meetings, we will re-do the meetings but if we establish that they knew but consciously decided not to attend, then we are done with that area. I personally suspect that people may be reacting to something — it could be intimidation or being forced to endorse something. The level of apathy in Mashonaland East is terrible and people on the ground have suggested that we review the method of calling for the meetings” [Via The Standard].

Constitution must preserve tradition, says First lady

The state-controlled Herald reports on a speech by Grace Mugabe: “Zimbabweans should take advantage of the constitution-making process to preserve tradition, First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe has said [...] “You heard about the constitution and let us contribute, but do not support the recognition of homosexuals’ so-called rights. It is taboo to our culture and Satan will have defeated us if we accept it. The constitution should be in accordance with our culture and homosexuality is foreign to us. We should not listen to foreigners and their promises. How many of their promises have been fulfilled?” she asked [Via The Herald - state-controlled media].

Safeguard national gains: President

President Mugabe has challenged Zimbabweans to come up with a constitution that safeguards and extends the gains of the liberation struggle. In a briefing with the Zanu-PF Mashonaland West provincial leadership…President Mugabe urged traditional leaders to play a key role in the constitutional outreach programme. “Tochenjerawo zviye zvingade kupinzwa zvogojomora mabolts atakasunga. Hatidi zvokuti pave neconstitution inotidzosera shure. It should be an extension of the gains of our Independence,” President Mugabe said. President Mugabe said the new constitution should be a reflection of the people’s wishes [Via The Herald - state-controlled media].

MDC-T fires rapporteur for being ‘inclined’ to Zanu-PF

MDC-T has reportedly fired one of its rapporteurs in the Midlands Province for allegedly capturing views aligned to Zanu-PF during the ongoing constitution outreach programme [...] However, the MDC-T’s Copac outreach co-team leader for the province, Mr Amos Chibaya, yesterday denied that they fired the rapporteur [...] “There is nothing of that nature. Martin was just transferred to Harare upon his request to solve some problems in the capital where he is based. As the supervisor, I had to comply with his request which was genuine [...] I first sought clearance from Mr (Douglas) Mwonzora. We had a vacancy of one rapporteur in Glen View and he has gone to fill that post. I wonder why people want to try and look for some negative things to publicise even when there is no issue.” [...] Sources however told Chronicle that the MDC-T rapporteur was fired from the Midlands Province after the party raised complaints against him for presenting data which they felt was “inclined” towards Zanu-PF’s interests. “Martin was selected under an MDC-T ticket but some of the party officials were not aware of the fact that he had joined Zanu-PF aligned Youths in Mining organisation,” said the source. The source said after realising that he was not representing the interests of the party, Mr Chibaya and other senior party officials then recalled the rapporteur and showed him the “red card” [Via The Chronicle - state-controlled media].

‘Marital rape should not be included in constitution’

The state-controlled Chronicle reports that villagers in Gwanda said marital rape should not be included in the new constitution, quoting comments from 70 year old Gogo Sizalakho Elizabeth Nyathi: “There is nothing like rape in a marriage. When a woman leaves her parents’ home to go and live with her husband, she should satisfy his needs. There is nothing like rape in a marriage”. The paper also said villagers believe the age of majority should remain at 18yrs old, and that they believed in freedom of the press. On the media, the state-controlled paper reports that “The villagers also said media organisations should be owned by the Government and the country’s citizens only”. But in some areas in Gwanda, no one turned up for meetings: “The Copac outreach team arrived at Manama Business Centre at about 1pm, but there were no villagers waiting for them. Some of the prominent parliamentary officials who were part of the team appeared stunned with the development and could be seen moving up and down at the business centre”.

5 July 2010

Reforms body wants NGO monitors arrested

Zimbabwe’s constitutional reform commission has called for the arrest of civil society workers monitoring the reforms, accusing them of sowing confusion and spreading falsehoods about a troubled exercise to consult the public on the drafting of a proposed new governance charter [...] But joint chairman of the Constitutional Parliamentary Committee (COPAC) that is leading the reforms, Paul Mangwana, on Sunday accused the three NGOs of a “hidden agenda” and sending out their monitors to spread lies and tarnish the constitutional reform process. Mangwana, a member of ZANU PF, said: “These people from non governmental organisations must be arrested. They are peddling lies about the process …. why should we be monitored? We believe they have a hidden agenda to tarnish the process.” A senior member of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC party and a joint chairman of the COPAC, Douglass Mwonzora, concurred with Mangwana that the civil society monitors were “peddling lies” about the outreach exercise. “These monitors are disseminating falsehoods about the process,” said Mwonzora, who however did not call for the civil society workers’ arrest [Via ZimOnline].

ZIMTA engages stakeholders on constitution

The Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (ZIMTA) will this week hold discussions with over 60 primary and secondary school teachers’ representatives from all over Zimbabwe on the constitution making process. ZIMTA chief executive officer, Mr Sifiso Ndlovu, told Sunday News that the teacher body had taken the initiative to use its members and structures to reach out to Constitutional Parliamentary Committee (COPAC) teams deployed in the country so that they could advance the ideals that teachers yearn for. “This meeting will be in Gweru on 9 and 10 July 2010. ZIMTA is participating as a matter of civic responsibility and as matter of mandate to speak on issues that affect the teaching profession, education in general and governance tenets,’’ he said. The CEO lamented that although teachers were at the centre of community affairs and were opinion leaders in rural areas and townships, they were not respected by politicians who seemed to regard them as crossing the political grains [...] Mr Ndlovu added that it was disappointing that ZIMTA had met “hostile reactions’’ from some political parties’ activists who threatened teachers with violence if they attended COPAC meetings or participate. “While this was reported only in two areas so far, we think the pattern may resemble the ugly scenes of the 2008 elections. This we will be taking up with COPAC leadership and relevant political parties to nip in the bud such undemocratic methods of extending influence,’’ he said [Via The Sunday News].

Outreach Process Monitors face more arrests and threats

More independent monitors of the controversial constitutional outreach programme now face official arrest, after being threatened to keep away from the process by the heads of the programme. [...] According to our correspondent, Simon Muchemwa, a team of monitors were arrested Thursday in Mutare and others previously in Mashonaland West. Three of them were recently reported to have been abducted by ZANU PF supporters and taken to a farm in the Makonde district of Mashonaland West where they were beaten. In most of the cases the police have failed to act to prevent the intimidation and attacks [...] The abuse of these monitors will also not help matters for the Zimbabwean government internationally. A government delegation recently visited Brussels to meet with the European Union on Friday. It is understood they were told to stop harassing human rights activists and stop government-led waves of violence, if they are to move forward. Analysts on Sunday also indicated that controversial developments such as the launch of the constitution-making outreach programme, were causing the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange to continue to decline [SW Radio Africa].

No Plans to Arrest Zimbabwe NGOs Monitoring Constitutional Outreach – Officials

Two of the three co-chairmen of the parliamentary select committee in charge of Zimbabwe’s constitutional revision process said Monday that it is not true, as press reports have suggested, that they have called or will call for the arrest of non-governmental organization activists monitoring the ongoing public outreach process [...] Select Committee Co-Chairman Douglas Mwonzora of the Movement for Democratic Change formation of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai told VOA Studio 7 reporter Jonga Kandemiiri that observers are free to participate as long as they identify themselves to the committee and secure accreditation. Co-Chairman Edward Mkhosi of the MDC grouping of Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara said he was not aware that anyone on his committee was calling for the arrest of independent monitors. Mkhosi told VOA that the panel is encouraging wide participation in outreach meetings being held across the country. VOA was unable to reach the ZANU-PF co-chairman of the committee, Paul Mangwana, who was quoted by the Web news source ZimOnline as saying NGOs have a “hidden agenda” and calling for the arrest of monitors [Via VOA News].

Women urged to turnout in large numbers

The MDC Women’s Assembly secretary, Hon Evelyn Masaiti has urged women to turn out in large numbers in the constitution-making process to fulfill the goal of 50-50 gender representation in key developmental posts. ‘The issue of patriarchy is of high concern where men are placed with great honour and women are inferior in decision making and taking up leadership positions,” said Hon Masaiti. [...] Hon Masaiti condemned incidences of intimidation continuing in Gokwe where MDC members are being threatened with eviction by chiefs and headmen if they stand up and express their opinions when the Copac team reaches their wards. “Zanu PF feels the only way they can keep their position is by threatening people. But you must not cow to their threats, it’s about time the voice of the masses is raised to extricate this country of Mugabe’s despotism. It’s a struggle we have to finish, let us voice up and be heard.” The mini-rallies were attended by Provincial women assembly led by chairlady Ngoma Bessie and other members [Via MDC Today - 5 July 2010].

Man assaulted after speaking at outreach meeting

In Mashonaland East province, an MDC member in Sadza, Chikomba East district, Kemson Chikasha (67) lost his front two teeth after he was assaulted by his brother, who is a Zanu PF apologist and village head. The assault took place during a constitution consultation meeting in Sadza on June 28 when Kemson contributed during the meeting. His brother, the village head, warned him not to speak as spokespersons had already been selected prior to the meeting to speak on behalf of the whole ward. In Matabeleland North province, Zanu PF officials in Umguza area are harassing and intimidating MDC members. Sawmills Headman Jealous Tshakalisa has intimidated and threatened Simon Moyo, the MDC Umguza district youth vice chairperson has been mobilising people to participate in the constitution process [Via MDC Today - 5 July 2010].

Outreach teams chased out of hotels

COPAC outreach teams have been evicted from hotels in Mutare for failing to settle bills with some of the workers having spent more than two days without getting their lunch and dinner owing to the same problem. Sources within the outreach teams in Mutare who are not allowed to talk to the media said COPAC outreach teams staying at Mountview and Wiseowl hotels have been chased out because of COPAC’s failure to settle their hotel bills. They said the team had gone for two days without getting their meals because of the same problem.MDC-T COPAC co-chair Douglas Mwonzora dismissed the allegations as unfounded before referring this reporter to his Mutare based Personal Assistant Ernest Nyamukachi who refused to comment [...] “I have verified your issue with the Mutare people who have said that there is nothing of that nature. There are some people within the society who do not want this thing to move and those are the same people who are peddling lies. We want to deal with real issues and we need to demystify them so that real issues are dealt with. You can even contact the said hotel management and verify with them,” he said [Via ZimEye].

21 drivers still await payment from COPAC

Three weeks into the constitution making process outreach programme, it has emerged that 21 drivers in Matabeleland North province are yet to receive their daily allowances, a situation that has compromised mobility of outreach teams. The drivers are supposed to get US$25 dollars per day as per arrangement with the Constitutional Parliamentary Committee (Copac). Speaking to Sunday News on condition of anonymity, one of the drivers alleged they had not been paid since the programme started three weeks ago.He said they were relying on handouts from members of the outreach teams for their meals. “As I speak today, we are still holding on to promises from Copac guys who are telling us that they will give us our daily allowances yet nothing is materialising. It is sad because we are starving and it is not workably. What we have agreed with our colleagues (the 21 drivers), is that if we don’t get our money by Monday next week (tomorrow), we will immediately stop working because we feel we are being taken for granted,’’ said one of the drivers sounding furious [Via The Sunday News].

6 July 2010

Question on Zimbabwe’s constitutional process asked in UK Parliament

Gavin Williamson: What action is my right hon. Friend taking with other African nations to ensure that Zimbabwe adopts a new constitution and ends the endemic corruption within the country? Mr Hague: We work closely with our partners around Africa, foremost among which, of course, is South Africa. We support its efforts and those of President Zuma to engage closely with Zimbabwe and to push it towards reform. We-the UK and other donors-also support, through the UN development programme, the implementation of the Zimbabwean constitution. Given the concerns that my hon. Friend and others have raised, I should say that that happens not through direct funding of the Zimbabwean Government, but through that UN programme [Via House of Commons Hansard Debates (UK)]

Zimbabwe Constitutional Panel, NGOs Meet on Monitoring of Outreach Process

Zimbabwe’s Parliamentary Select Committee on Constitutional Revision met Tuesday with civil society activists and agreed to set ground rules under which non-governmental organizations can continue to monitor – or observe, as parliamentary officials preferred to say – the ongoing public consultation process. Parliamentary sources said they agreed to draw up a code of conduct governing how independent observers will go about monitoring the process nationwide. Select Committee Co-Chairman Douglas Mwonzora told VOA Studio 7 reporter Jonga Kandemiiri that lawmakers and NGO officials agreed that all independent observers should be accredited with the committee. But Chairwoman Dadirai Chikwengo of the National Association of Non-Governmental Organizations denied that agreement had been reached on the issue of accreditation [Voa VOA News].

Influential Chief accused of destabilising outreach program

The MDC-T party on Tuesday strongly accused the influential President of the Chiefs Council, Chief Fortune Charumbira of abusing his position to undermine the outreach program. Senator Morgan Komichi, the MDC-T coordinator of the constitutional making process, reacted furiously to reports that Chief Charumbira was allegedly moving around some districts of Masvingo turning consultative meetings into ZANU PF rallies. Komichi urged the management of the Consitutional Parliamentary Committee (COPAC) to take disciplinary action against those seen as working to “poison or destroy” the program. Charumbira is a senior COPAC delegate meant to be assisting the program. Komichi said they didn’t mind seeing Charumbira working to further ZANU PF interests in the process, as long as he was not an outreach team member using COPAC resources. “He has abandoned his duties as a COPAC delegate and is now playing a deconstructive role in the whole process. Because of his prior knowledge of the program in the province, he is now using it to his advantage to turn COPAC meetings into ZANU PF rallies,” Komichi said [Via Sw Radio Africa].

MDC ward secretary assaulted after speaking at a outreach meeting

In Manicaland province, the MDC secretary for Ward 20 in Mutare South had to be hospitalised after sustaining serious internal injuries when he was assaulted by the village head, Daniel Toopera, with the aid of two Zanu PF brothers, Batsirai and Daniel Makomboti. Blessing Musarandega was assaulted after giving his opinion during a Constitution-making outreach public meeting held on 29 June at Munyarari primary school. This is believed to have infuriated the village head and his Zanu PF colleagues who had drafted a list of people who were meant to speak at the outreach meeting. Recovering at a hospital in Mutare, Musarandega said the assault would not deter him from his basic right to participate in the drafting of a new Constitution. “They want to silence us but they will not succeed. This is a national constitution and not a Zanu PF baby. We are all Zimbabweans; we want our voices to be heard. I will participate again when the outreach team comes back to the area,” said Musarandega. The assailants have been reported to the police but no arrests have been made [Via MDc Today - 6 July 2010]

7 July 2010

AIDS Organisations Threaten No Vote Campaign

Zimbabwe’s HIV and AIDS service organisations have threatened a No vote of the new consttution if it fails to capture their concerns. Participants to a meeting of AIDS service organisations on Tuesday said they wanted rights to access HIV&AIDS treatment and access to health services or they would join the NCA in the no vote campaign [...] The meeting was attended by more than 15 representatives of AIDS services from around the country. “If our issues are not captured by the COPAC we are definitely going to call for a No vote come referendum time. HIV&AIDS issues are being ignored and yet everyone is being affected in one way or the other,” said a member of one of the organisations representing People Living with AIDS [Via RadioVop].

MPs in Copac car hire scam

Members of Parliament involved in the constitution outreach programme have hired out vehicles loaned to them by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) under a vehicle scheme, in what could turn out to be a fraudulent exercise. Co-chairperson of the Constitutional Select Committee (Copac) Douglas Mwonzora confirmed yesterday that lawmakers who had hired out the vehicles in question were demanding full payment yet the vehicles legally belonged to the RBZ. The scam was uncovered when Copac was processing payment for the vehicles hired out to the committee through the Central Mechanical Equipment Department [Via NewsDay].

Death penalty must stay: villagers

The Chronicle writes about a SAPST report firstly highlighting that villagers in Gwanda in Matabeleland South have called for the retention of the death penalty and devolution of power in the new constitution. Villagers apparently also argued that the new constitution should do away with provincial names that have tribal connotations like Mashonaland, Matabeleland and Manicaland but instead adopt names like southern or central province. Participants also said proceeds from natural resources should benefit the communities from which they are found, in terms of development and employment opportunities: “SAPST said the most dominant view in the two meetings revolved around the issue of devolution of power as the most preferred system of government” [Via The Chronicle].

MDC-T reports interference with the outreach process

In Shamva, also in Mashonaland Central province, Central Intelligence Office agents on Tuesday addressed villagers before the start of the outreach meetings preaching the discredited Kariba draft. They threatened them with disappearance if they did not comply with this directive. The CIO agents were driving unmarked vehicles when they addressed villagers in Shamva at Bradley, Kamudyariwa, Hore, Chidembo and Kasimbi meeting points. The Zanu PF Shamva South MP, Samuel Ziteya, illegally withdrew written submissions that had been handed to the Constitutional Parliamentary Committee (Copac) team at Bradley. In Fairfields, Chirumanzu, Midlands province, a deputy headmaster at Fairfields primary school called for a parents’ meeting and started addressing them about the Kariba draft ahead of Copac public meetings. Meanwhile, there are reports in some provinces that people who want to participate in the meetings are failing to do so as the Copac timetable is incorrect. In Masvingo province, the MDC Chivi South district chairperson, Shelter Chifamba was threatened with death by a self-styled war veteran and Zanu PF Chivi South Ward 24 chairman, Machanja Risco at a funeral in Chivi. Chifamba, who was assaulted and had her house destroyed in 2008, has been warned against mobilising people for the Constitution consultations currently underway [Via MDC Today - 7 July 2010].

Youth leader arrested while mobilising MDC supporters

There is an increased upsurge of intimidation of villagers in the rural areas by State security agents as the Constitution-making process spreads out across the country. Reports from the provinces show a worrying trend of an increase in intimidation, harassment and arrests of people. The MDC Mashonaland Central Youth Assembly deputy provincial chairperson, Brian Pfungweni was arrested in Mt Darwin as he was mobilising MDC supporters to attend the Constitution-making public meetings. Before his arrest he was attacked by Zanu PF supporters in the area. However, instead of arresting the Zanu PF youths, the police arrested Pfungweni. He has since been transferred to Bindura central police station and is expected to appear in court this week [Via MDC Today - 7 July 2010].

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