Zanu (PF) thinks it has everything to gain by sabotaging the constitution-making process so it might lead to a half-baked and undemocratic constitution that the people will reject at the referendum.

This will force the nation to retain the current Lancaster House Constitution that has been amended some 19 times, which would suite Mugabe and Zanu (PF) well since they are the ones who amended that constitution to suite their planned long-stay in power, so reasons Political Scientist John Makumbe.

In a piece published in several online publications, Professor Makumbe said the current process under Article 6 of the global political agreement (GPA) between Zanu (PF) and the MDC, spearheaded by the Parliamentary Select Committee on the Constitution (Copac), has been hampered by lack of adequate resources, MPs demands to be paid astronomical allowances, logistical problems, polarisation of the political parties, and numerous squabbles among the three major political parties in the GNU.

Deadlines have been missed though there is still hope that the process will still be completed before the expiry of the time frame set for the duration of the GNU.

The polarisation, with Zanu (PF) advocating for the adoption of the Kariba draft, crafted by representatives of the three political parties in the GNU, and viewed as uncomfortably similar to the current constitution, has led to bullying by Zanu (PF), targeting MDC supporters and forcing some people to boycott the meetings, or to attend, but refrain from speaking for fear of their lives.

Police, army and even Copac officials have not been effective in protecting the generality of the public from these threats and acts of violence against people wishing to express their views on the content of the proposed constitution.

Investigations have proved that, in some areas, Zanu (PF) is engaged in the bussing of its supporters from place to place to disrupt the smooth flow of the constitution making process. (See ZZIcomp report )

Further, there have been incidents of war veterans constantly interjecting when citizens expressing views that are considered contrary to theirs attempt to speak at the outreach meetings. In some areas, soldiers, clad in full army uniform and armed with AK47 rifles, have themselves participated in expressing their views, largely Zanu (PF) views, in order to intimidate the ordinary citizens from expressing contrary views. They have also warned villagers not to participate in airing their views to the Copac teams, said Dr Makumbe.

Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) agents have been reported to speak on behalf of the people and expressed Zanu (PF) views as contained in the Kariba draft. They have also cautioned the people not to speak at these meetings. Those who speak are later followed home and beaten up.

Zimbabwe clearly runs the risk of writing a half-baked and undemocratic constitution that the people will reject at the referendum.

"This will force the nation to retain the current Lancaster House Constitution that has been amended some 19 times.

"This will suit Mugabe and Zanu (PF) who are fully aware that a democratic constitution could result in their loss of political power. Nevertheless, the struggle for a democratic constitution must continue,” he signed off praying for Zimbabwe.

This would certainly explain why Zanu (PF) is acting the way it is, but would the people really reject the proposed Constitution knowing that to do so would be to give Zanu (PF) another free reign?

And should the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) be campaigning for a yes vote, no matter how flawed  the outcome just so that we can have an election?

Your Opinion to This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it