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Saturday, June 27, 2009

Muchena’s statement heckled


The process to educate people of Zimbabwe about the crafting of a new constitution started today in the Midlands Province of Zimbabwe at Gweru Cathedral Hall. People came from all corners of Midlands to meet the representative for the constitution Senate Committee. This follows the Global Political Agreement that was signed by the three Zimbabwean political parties to form an inclusive government.

Among the members of parliament that were present included MP Ngwenya, Madubeko, Rutswara, Chebundo, Chikwinya, Chingwena and the Midlands Provincial governor Naison Matshaya. Dr Olivia Muchena one of the inclusive government ministers was among the senate committee that visited the city of Gweru.

The Midlands provincial governor Matshaya told the gathered crowd that Midlands’s Province participation in this constitution making process was important since this is the center of Zimbabwe with diverse culture and tribal groups. “People should take away emotions and start to focus on issues that will contribute to the crafting of the Zimbabwean Constitution”, he said.

Dr Muchena was jeered by the crowd when she said that “The British which is causing Zimbabwe problems have no constitution”. The crowd expressed their dissatisfaction by the minister’s speech by heckling her. However, the minister explained to the crowed that it was her party’s idea that relevant stakeholders representing the people of Zimbabwe and certain individuals have to be consulted in crafting a constitution. Muchena clarified certain issues which have to do with the global agreement and defined what the constitution is and meant to the people of Zimbabwe. She explained further the importance of the three fundamentals in the constitution and in the run of the country which among include the executive, legislation and judicial.

The Democratic United Front (DUF) member Tatenda Simukai Mombeyarara said that he had come all the way from Harare to participate under protest because the process for constitution crafting was not people driven. “l am participating under protest and NCA protested and refused to attend this process because they argued that this is a flaw”, said Mombeyarara. He added that the whole process was not just and the crafting of the constitution process is not people driven.

DUF as an organization fights for a constitution-making process which is democratic, participatory, and gender-balanced and people driven. It reverses the attacks by neoliberal, free market, capitalist and political authoritarian structures on ordinary people and democracy over the last two decades and enshrines as legally enforcement and funded the economic, social and political rights of working people and the poor.

The MDC-T representative Hon. Makuyana (Member of parliament) said that the constitution should include all ordinary Zimbabwean voice, which among include those in diasporas, students, arts and culture, human rights and so forth . Makuyana told the crowd that Zimbabwe should initiate a constitution which will prolong without amendments. He also said that soil is for us all and no one even a single family liberated this country. Makuyana added that July has been set aside as a month to talk and teach people about the constitution crafting. In November 2009, stakeholders committee will meet in Harare to discuss about the views paused by the people in all provinces of the country. The whole process that stretches up to next year will have to make sure that by October 2010 the New Constitution of Zimbabwe will be effective and enacted to govern the country

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