Zanu (PF) Stalls Constitution Making Process Again

In an interview, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), Copac chairperson, Edward Mkhosi, condemned Zanu (PF)’s “self imposed boycott”, describing it as a sad development.

“Zanu (PF) has said it wants to review the document on its own before it resumes its participation. This is a three-party process. We will not agree to any unilateral changes as the draft’s contents are a product of what came out of outreach programmes. Zanu (PF) is not Zimbabwe and they don’t have a veto power in anyway. It’s by consensus,” he said.

Sources said Zanu (PF) Copac co-chairperson Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana sent a message advising that his party would not be available for any Copac business “until further notice”.

However, MDC-T’s Copac co-chairperson Douglas Mwonzora said: “What we were told is that they are still consulting on some of the issues in the document that we have produced. We are yet to be advised on any pull-out.”

Mkhosi said “the silence would generate unhealthy speculation” in the country.

Mangwana said: “I am the only qualified representative to comment on behalf of Zanu (PF), not other co-chairpersons. If they are the ones who told you this matter concerning my party, they are just crazy. You can write whatever you want, we are ruling this country.”

Addressing civil society leaders at the Bulawayo Agenda offices on Monday, Mwonzora said:“Mangwana is locked in party caucus meetings. When I called him before this meeting, he sounded distressed.  Some of the criticisms levelled at Mangwana by his party are unfair.

“Zanu (PF) believes that when Mangwana is negotiating with us he is giving in a lot of concessions but we are not easy people to negotiate with.”