Radio Dialogue Giving you a voice
The two MDC formations say they are not going to allow for fresh negotiations over the draft constitution after the former ruling party and partner in government Zanu PF insisted on amendments before the document is taken to a referendum.
Zanu PF on Thursday concluded its deliberations on the constitution and suggested a number of amendments before the next stage in the constitution making process.
MDC deputy spokesperson Kurauone Chihwayi speaking to Radio Dialogue said his party is not keen on engaging the other partners in government in a fresh round of negotiations on the draft constitution.
“We are not going to move away from our position, in as much as we admit that the draft constitution is not the best that we could have come up with, it should be seen as a starting point because it was a negotiated document,” Chihwayi said.
“We are therefore reiterating that, the draft constitution is final and should be forwarded to the second all stakeholders conference, we are not making any plans to go back to the negotiating table because the people spoke and political party’s views were included in that draft.”
Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs minister, Eric Matinenga last week told Radio Dialogue that dissatisfaction by one political party over the draft constitution may lead to another round of negotiations.
National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) chairperson Lovemore Madhuku was this week quoted saying the whole process is about negotiating and if the draft constitution is to sail through, the MDC formations should agree to a renegotiation.
Zanu PF has rejected the clause on running mates and has insisted on the appointment of the vice presidents. The draft constitution stipulates that every candidate running for election as president must nominate two persons to stand for election jointly with him/her as his/her vice presidents and must designate one of those as first vice president and the other as second vice president.
According to media reports, the party has also rejected the dilution of the powers of the Attorney General through the formation of national prosecuting authority.
