Zambia has a constitution, Sata
By Moses Kuwema
Thu 16 Jan. 2014, 13:00 CAT
PRESIDENT Michael Sata this morning wondered why certain sections of society were desperate for a new constitution when the country has held six general elections using the current constitution.
Speaking after swearing in Dr. Bwalya Ng'andu transport, communication, works and supply permanent secretary at State House as , President Sata wondered which constitution people were desperate for when the country already had one.
"Go and tell them that you took oath under the constitution. We have a constitution and we have had six elections over this constitution so the people who are talking of the constitution, we don't know about it. Probably Ms Rosewin Wandi Anti-Corruption Commission director general knows something about the constitution….and you are going to uphold the constitution," President Sata said.
And President Sata has urged newly appointed permanent secretary Dr. Ng'andu to concentrate on revamping Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL) and TAZARA.
Dr.Ngandu, until Monday was Bank of Zambia (BOZ)deputy Governor, replaces two Permanent Secretaries in the ministry of Works and Supply Bernard Chiwala and Charity Kaande-Ngoma who were fired by Sata on Monday.
Sata also swapped Ministry of Health permanent secretary Dr Peter Mwaba with his Home affairs counterpart Dr Misheck Chikamata.
Labels: BWALYA NG'ANDU, CONSTITUTION, MICHAEL SATA
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Frustrations within PF
By Editor
Thu 09 Jan. 2014, 14:00 CAT
Truly, "2013 was a year which tested the foundation and ideals" of the Patriotic Front since its establishment in 2001. And as Patriotic Front secretary general Wynter Kabimba says, "It was a transformative year in that the party moved from being in opposition into a party in government and the major challenge in this transformation had been widespread expectations from both members of the party and the general public."
Many things were hoped for, were expected with the Patriotic Front in government. And given Michael Sata's delivery record, many people within the Patriotic Front and outside it developed wild expectations. They thought things would change overnight. Patriotic Front cadres, as Wynter correctly observes, "expected rewards in form of employment because of the massive discrimination they suffered under the MMD, which had cultivated an extensive culture of patronage".
And, again as Wynter says, "Outside the party, the public expected delivery of services on the basis of its campaign promises." But we all know that there is no instant coffee solution to our massive problem of poverty and unemployment. We are in for a long haul. Things will change, will improve but not overnight.
The mistake that was made was not to tell their cadres and our people in general that their lives won't instantly change simply because Michael and the Patriotic Front are in government. Their cadres thought they would all get jobs in government and other institutions connected to government. But they should have been told that government institutions don't belong to their party; they belong to all the people regardless of their political affiliations and all are entitled to jobs in these institutions purely on the basis of merit. They should have also been told that the Patriotic Front in government would not continue the patronage of the MMD.
And as they told the people what they would do, they should also have told them what they would not do. Life doesn't change that way.
There has been growing frustration among Patriotic Front members and cadres at all levels, who feel they have not been rewarded for their contributions, for their efforts. These feelings are legitimate but government affairs are not managed in that way. It is not a question of sharing spoils after an election victory.
The Patriotic Front cadres may be able to run their party on their own but they cannot run government on their own. Therefore, their disappointment and frustration has to be managed. And discipline calls for this. Their disappointment and frustration should be a temporary feeling, which they can get over by involving themselves in positive activities and attitudes. It is not easy to remain disappointed and frustrated if one is busy with constructive things.
There is need for discipline. And discipline is not about things one likes or is happy with. Discipline is about behaving well in situations in which one is not happy, is not comfortable. It is about handling well situations that one does not like. And this is why discipline is the most powerful weapon for progress. The Patriotic Front can only carry out its mandate if there is discipline, and where there is no discipline, there can be no real progress. Those who are ready to join hands in a disciplined way can overcome the greatest challenges.
There is still a long way to go. There is still a lot of work for the Patriotic Front to do. Those who thought by simply winning the 2011 elections, they had arrived, are mistaken because after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. It is said that many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountain tops of our desires. It is also said that the struggle is not for the strong but for those who can endure.
We urge Patriotic Front cadres to draw strength from the unity which they had forged in their campaigns against the MMD and together grasp the opportunities and realise the vision enshrined in their 2011 election manifesto. This is the only way they can carry on their revolution and transform their lives and their country forever. This is the true meaning of the Patriotic Front revolution they promised themselves and the Zambian people, which is in reality and in truth a growth in their confidence as ordinary people to transform their country and thus transform themselves. It is a growth in the appreciation of people organising, deciding, creating together. It is a growth of fraternal love.
And when we speak of disappointment and frustration, we speak of the disappointed and frustrated persons within what the Patriotic Front is trying to do, not against what it is trying to do; to improve the transformation, not to destroy it; to make it stronger, not to liquidate it as the case is with declarations made by Geoffrey Mwamba in Kasama to wipe out the party's influence in that area. That is the difference, the radical difference that exists between those who are disappointed and frustrated within the party but still are committed to its work, policies and programmes, and those who, like Mwamba, are ready to destroy it when they are not able to get from it or through it what they want or desire.
Anyway, such elements do not understand that great transformations are irreversible, that they march on despite the errors and deficiencies of men. This is because they are superior to men. When such transformations involve the work, the efforts and the lives of millions of human beings, they are superior to everything; they are invincible. That's why the Patriotic Front cadres and leaders have to realise that they are promoting and carrying on transformations, work that is greater than themselves. Naturally, this is what the liars try to keep from the people, the tremendous power of great social transformations.
Nobody claims or should claim that what is being done is perfect no matter how much effort they devote to trying to make things turn out in the best possible way. Only life itself will be able to tell us where the shortcomings are and which aspects leave something to be desired. But those involved in the political leadership of our country must always be able to improve the instruments they have established.
The Patriotic Front needs to seriously improve on its 2013 performance if it is to deliver to its cadres' and our people's expectations or desires. But this will require strong organisation, loyalty and discipline from its general membership.
Labels: CONSTITUTION, MICHAEL SATA, PF
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Govt accuses some parties of funding constitution confusion
By Kabanda Chulu
Thu 09 Jan. 2014, 17:20 CAT
GOVERNMENT will not surrender the constitutional making process to reckless and opportunistic individuals that intend to bring confusion in the country, says information minister Mwansa Kapeya.
During a media briefing in Lusaka today, Kapeya, who is also chief government spokesperson, accused (without mentioning names) some opposition political parties of funding some civil society organisations to cause confusion in the constitutional making process.
Government has credible information that money has exchanged hands from well known opposition political party leaders to some CSOs aimed at fuelling confusion in this process, Kapeya said. Indeed this process has been hijacked by selfish individuals who want to humiliate and embarrass this government. If we are pushed too far, we shall name the culprits and publish the trail of how the monies have been moving. We cannot allow a few individuals to undermine the sovereign will of Zambians.
He said the government was alert to the current political schemes and would not allow reckless and opportunistic people to bring confusion in the country.
We are in control, we initiated this process, so it is our duty to
complete the process. We shall protect the masses from those intending to hijack the whole process, Kapeya said.
When asked how much was involved to bring confusion by the opposition,
Kapeya said; We can't tell you now..unless they push us, then we will be able to speak out.
On the roadmap and assertions by the CSOs that it was the government which had hijacked the whole process by disregarding the terms of reference given to the Technical Committee, Kapeya said the government was the initiator of the process.
We are the initiators of the process, we know what we are doing, where we are going. We are driving the whole process, therefore, we can't hijack when in actual fact, we are the ones handling the whole process, we are driving the process. The Technical Committee is doing final touches and everything is being done according to their mandate, he said.
When reminded that the mandate of the Technical Committee ended on
December 31, 2013, Kapeya said, Honourable Kabimba did announce the way
forward.
When asked if the Technical Committee has handed over the 10 copies to President Sata, Kapeya said the committee was doing its final work towards the documents.
Asked if the documents would be made public this year or next year and if it was legally wrong for political parties to fund the constitutional making process, Kapeya said the normal procedure has been followed.
But current crusade is aiming at embarrassing and humiliating government. The initial process is moving on well?when you talk of hijacking, somebody wants to come middle way and say no.. it is this way or that way just to create confusion, he said. We are not ready as government to entertain this confusion being caused by some opposition parties; they want to portray us as if we have failed to deliver what we promised the people.
Labels: CONSTITUTION
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Constitution process hijacked - Sata
By Joseph Mwenda and Kombe Mataka
Thu 09 Jan. 2014, 14:01 CAT
PRESIDENT Michael Sata says the constitution-making process has been hijacked by individuals with an objective to embarrass, humiliate and politically undermine the sovereign will of the people.
But three church mother bodies yesterday said they had resolved to take the issue of the constitution to their churches by devoting a few minutes to discuss it every Sunday.
In a statement released by his special assistant for press and public relations George Chellah, President Sata said it would be highly reckless and irresponsible to hastily release the constitution merely to satisfy an ill-intended political scheme.
"The country already has a functional Constitution and the state will not be pushed into fast and reckless conclusions by individuals with dubious agendas," he said.
President Sata said the government remained dedicated to the constitution-making process.
"The recent biased political maneuvers surrounding the process confirm the ill-intentions of the persons at the helm of this misplaced crusade. Right from the start, this government has been dedicated to the process, no wonder the committee handling the matter was left without any interference. But it's clear that the well-intended process has been hijacked to embarrass, humiliate and politically undermine the will and interest of the majority of Zambians," he said.
And the Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC), the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) and the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ), which are part of the Oasis Forum, yesterday took part in the briefing, where CCZ secretary general Suzanne Matale, who is also chairperson of the Forum, advised the nation that the church mother bodies would direct all their churches and parishes to dedicate some minutes every Sunday to discuss the constitution and ensure that they have one soon.
"We would like to remind government that the writing is on the wall: this is a year of cleansing. Mediocrity shall not be accepted. People's demands for a people-driven constitution shall be achieved," she said.
And when asked to comment on how she felt personally about the constitution-making process since she was part of Technical Committee drafting the Constitution, Rev Matale said the committee had its own spokesperson and that she was speaking in her capacity as a CCZ official.
Law Association of Zambia president James Banda said it was unfortunate that the government had failed to listen to the public by going ahead to receive ten copies of the constitution document from the technical committee, adding that the process was not being made transparent and risked being rendered illegitimate.
EFZ executive director Pukuta Mwanza said this year was the only suitable time for Zambia to have a new constitution as a 'jubilee gift', before the general election mood grips the country.
And ZEC secretary general Fr Cleophas Lungu said time had come for Zambians to unite and demand a new constitution.
"Of course, there are bigger and small churches. We all know that there are true and false prophets but by our message and language, we shall know who is standing on the truth. The Constitution is a moral issue. We are going to take this Constitution to the pulpit. It shall be taken in the houses of God," said Rev Mwanza.
And NGOCC board chairperson Beatrice Grillo called on the women to join in calls to have the draft constitution released to the public.
Meanwhile, President Sata said more than 355,000 jobs have been created since the Patriotic Front formed government in September 2011.
"Government is still committed to job creation and industrialisation in order to create a better Zambia for all. To date, more than 355,335 jobs have been created since the PF came into power," he said in a statement released by Chellah.
President Sata said the government would soon establish a sovereign wealth fund, which would focus on stimulating investment in strategic non-mining industries.
He said this would be possible through the creation of the industrial development corporation (IDC), which would be a tool for the modernization and diversification of the economy.
"The State will through the IDC maximize the value of government assets by establishing a sovereign wealth fund to stimulate investment in strategic non-mining industries, among others, thereby expanding the country's investment portfolio and thus creating jobs, wealth and prosperity for the Zambian people," President Sata said.
He said the establishment of the IDC would also boost the contribution of state-owned enterprises to national development by placing them under one umbrella holding entity to deepen their reform, enhance efficiency and maximise returns.
President Sata said the IDC would be the government's strategy to enhance domestic capital formation, wealth creation and preservation by focusing on exploiting the country's advantages in natural resources and actively developing industries and enterprises to create jobs for the people.
Labels: CONSTITUTION, MICHAEL SATA, PUKUTA MWANZA
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Constitution making hijacked by individuals to undermine the will of the people - Sata
By Joseph Mwenda and Kombe Mataka
Wed 08 Jan. 2014, 16:00 CAT
THE constitution-making process has been hijacked by individuals with an objective to embarrass, humiliate and politically undermine the sovereign will of the people, President Michael Sata.
In a statement released by his special assistant for Press and Public Relations George Chellah, President Sata said it would be highly reckless and irresponsible to hastily release the constitution only to satisfy an ill-intended political scheme.
"The country already has a functional Constitution and the state will not be pushed into fast and reckless conclusions by individuals with dubious agendas," he said.
President Sata said the government remained dedicated to the constitution making process.
"The recent biased political maneuvers surrounding the process confirm the ill-intentions of the persons at the helm of this misplaced crusade. Right from the start, this government has been dedicated to the process, no wonder the committee handling the matter was left without any interference. But it's clear that the well intended process has been hijacked to embarrass, humiliate and politically undermine the will and interest of the majority of Zambians," he said.
Labels: CONSTITUTION, MICHAEL SATA, PF
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MMD and constitution
By Editor
Mon 06 Jan. 2014, 14:00 CAT
Acting MMD president Michael Kaingu is accusing the Patriotic Front government of muzzling the roadmap in the enactment of the new constitution. Kaingu is also accusing the Patriotic Front government of wanting to use its numbers in Parliament to enact draconian laws.
The record of the MMD on the constitution-making process is very bad. And if the leadership of the MMD had any sense of justice in their hearts, they would have serious difficulties speaking on this issue.
This is a political party which, for twenty years, failed to come up with an acceptable constitution. This is a party which, since coming into government in 1991, had been working on a new constitution. In 1996, after an expensive constitution review process, the MMD government of Frederick Chiluba made amendments to the Constitution in total disregard of the recommendations of the constitutional review commission it had initiated. They amended the Constitution, with the sole aim of barring Dr Kenneth Kaunda from taking part in the presidential elections of that year. No one had a say in the changes they made. Everything was simply decided by Chiluba and those close to him. They ignored all the public criticism of what they had done.
And since then, the MMD spent its last ten years in office trying to come up with another constitution. In between 2007 and 2010, the MMD government spent over K200 billion on the constitution review process but still failed to come up with a new constitution.
Today, these same MMD leaders want to put pressure on their friends who have just been in power for two years to come up with a new constitution. And they are not ashamed to demand that. What type of people are these? What type of reasoning do they have? Do they have any sense of justice or fairness in their hearts?
We have held four general elections under a constitution given to us by the MMD, that is in 1996, 2001, 2006 and 2011. In addition to this, we held a presidential by-election following the death of Levy Mwanawasa in 2008. The Patriotic Front, which is in government today, participated in four of these elections held under the MMD constitution.
The constitution the MMD is today pushing the Patriotic Front to change is their own document which they themselves enacted with their own hands but failed to change, ignoring all public demands to do so. What's wrong with these people? When will it be possible for them to act in a sincere, honest and fair manner - even for at least once in their lives?
There is need for a new constitution. This is not in dispute. But unrealistic demands and undue pressure should not be put by the MMD on the Patriotic Front to clean up their mess and come up with a new constitution. Let them take their time and do their work in a manner that takes into account their other obligations to the people of Zambia. They were not elected into government for the sole purpose of coming up with a new constitution. They have many other urgent obligations to deal with. This was not a priority matter for the MMD! Why should it be made the top priority of this government?
If at any stage there are limited resources, priority should be given to serving the lives of our people through the provision of adequate medical services and ensuring food security. The constitution has to compete for time and resources with the other national priorities. Important and necessary as it is, the constitution review is certainly not the priority issue number one of the great majority of our people.
If the great majority of our people were given an opportunity to choose between being given schools, hospitals and roads now and a new constitution tomorrow, they would certainly choose the former and not the latter. Of course, the constitution is a priority matter to those seeking power and realignment of forces. And for them, everything else is not important.
What matters to them is a new constitution that they think will facilitate their access to power. It is not even about what that constitution will do for the Zambian people. It is simply what it will do for them. Look at the constitutional clauses they are very much interested in: 50 per cent plus 1, running mate. It's all about power. You never hear most of the vocal ones talk about the economic rights of our people. They are not interested in that because it has no impact on their access to power.
We urge the Patriotic Front government and its supporters not to be swayed by noise but to rationally set its priorities in accordance with the needs and demands of the poor and the most diwsadvantaged of our people. We have a constitution now and the country has been governed by the MMD for almost fifteen years under this constitution. We see no reason why the Patriotic Front cannot be given time to manage and do things in an efficient, effective and orderly manner. Let them take their time and do things the right way and in the best interest of the great majority of our people.
The MMD is accusing the Patriotic Front government of wanting to use its numbers in Parliament to enact draconian laws. But it is the MMD that used its majority numbers in Parliament to enact draconian laws. The last MMD government used its numbers in Parliament to remove the offence of abuse of office from our Anti Corruption Commission Act. Can this be said to have been done in the interest of the great majority of our people? This was simply an abuse by the MMD of its legislative powers. And the same MMD government was trying to use its numbers in Parliament, with the support of its friends in UPND, to come up with statutory media regulation. We have no doubt that if the MMD had won the 2011 elections, we would today have a statutory media regulation regime. And we shouldn't forget that it is this same MMD that enacted a law just to fix one person - the law removing bail for motor vehicle theft. And today, they can preach to the Zambian people about their opposition to draconian laws! What type of hypocrisy is this? What type of dishonesty is this? What type of lack of shame is this? Are these the people we should listen to?
Labels: CONSTITUTION, MMD
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Govt hasn't reneged on constitution - Wina
By Stuart Lisulo
Mon 06 Jan. 2014, 11:50 CAT
Inonge Wina says the government has not reneged on its promise to deliver a people-driven constitution. Reacting to former Kaputa MMD member of parliament and current UPND national chairperson Mutale Nalumango's assertions that the PF was leading Zambians into a wilderness, Wina who is PF national chairperson said such wholesale condemnation of the PF leadership was sometimes out of hand.
Wina, who is also gender and child development minister and Nalolo member of parliament, said in an interview said the government still stood by its pledge to deliver a people-driven constitution.
A constitution is a very important national document that should garner consensus from every Zambian, so to say that you get into government and within a few weeks you produce something like that, I don't think this was what was meant..., she said.
And Wina said the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) now has all the freedom to investigate high-profile people unlike during the MMD administration that Mutale Nalumango served under.
She said the government had also done a lot to strengthen governance institutions such as the ACC.
The ACC now has all the freedom to investigate high-profile people, which was not done in the MMD government. Ministers can be investigated - the ACC does not need to refer to the President when these things happen, so I think there is a lot happening, she said.
Wina said Zambians should have confidence in President Michael Sata's leadership as the PF's campaign promises would be fulfilled under his leadership.
''The PF government has actually performed beyond our expectations because we put in place policies that have targeted the poor such as raising the minimum wage - an initiative that was taken considering our poor workers.
We have done a lot in the area of infrastructure development, especially road construction. We have raised the threshold of civil servant salaries; surely that should be appreciated. Now a lot of people would prefer to work in government because it is offering better conditions, she said. The PF government has created a lot of pensionable jobs such as all the civil servants and all the people that work in the newly-created districts.
On the average, each district is now talking about 120 or more workers on the payroll…Surely those are jobs that are sustainable and permanent.
Even in other countries, surely there are people who work in construction and they are not on pensionable terms, but those are jobs which are bringing food to the people's tables. If someone can be engaged as a bricklayer on a construction site for two years or so and gets a salary every day, surely that is something; it is better than roaming the streets or stealing from others."
And Wina said the removal of subsidies on maize and fuel was done on the basis that they were not sustainable.
She further justified the PF's creation of districts, which she said would help alleviate poverty.
''We have added 51 extra districts. These districts are now currently undertaking the social cash transfer programme, whereas in the previous government there were only a few districts, and a lot of poor Zambians will benefit from this programme as a social safety net," said Wina. "In rural schools, we have a school-feeding programme and children are having a meal at school at least once a day and this has actually promoted good attendance in some schools. We have introduced pre-education in some selected schools and now children of the poor are accessing a nursery education where before it was only the prerogative of the rich."
Labels: CONSTITUTION, INONGE WINA
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'Zambia not likely to have people-driven constitution'
By Prince Chibawah in Mansa
Sun 01 Dec. 2013, 14:00 CAT
ZAMBIA will not have a people-driven constitution because politicians have tried to draft a constitution that protects their powers and guarantees abuse of office, says FDD spokesperson Antonio Mwanza.
And Mwanza has charged that the government's failure to provide leadership and social benefits to the people is due to the current 'weak Constitution'.
Speaking on Mansa's K FM radio on Wednesday, Mwanza said the country was not likely to have a people-driven constitution because majority citizens had left the constitution-making process in the hands of the politicians.
"Since 1973, we have had a lot of constitution-making processes. We had the Chona Constitution Commission, the Mvunga Constitution Commission, the Mwanakatwe Constitution Commission, the Mung'omba Constitution Commission and now the technical committee constitution reform. All these five constitution commissions have not resulted in a people-driven constitution, for the simple issue of politics having taken precedence of our common sense. Politicians have tried to draft a constitution that protects their powers and guarantees the abuse of office, guarantee excessive powers. They do not want to draft a constitution that gives the ordinary citizen ultimate power to provide checks and balances to the elected officials," he said.
He noted that successive constitution-making processes had been politically driven and that the content had also not been protected.
"…and the history of this country from 1964 is that we have been dealing with the issue of a constitution. It's paramount to state that the Constitution we are using in this country is a constitution which was handed over to us in the United Kingdom in 1963. Hence it was formulated, drafted, signed, sealed and handed over to the people of Zambia by the British government. It still represents the one party mentality, the one party laws, the one party regulatory system," he said.
"A constitution can only be as good as the people want it to be, meaning that what people want is what makes a good constitution. If 80 per cent or majority of what the people are asking for is present, then that is a good constitution. But if the majority things that people are aspiring to see in the constitution are not there, then that is a bad constitution."
He added that the submissions of the Zambian people towards the constitution-making process had always been consistent and they had now grown tired of submitting same things.
"They (citizens) have always asked for a majoritarian president. They have asked to have a 50 per cent +1 clause. They asked to have Cabinet outside Parliament. They consistently asked to have a running mate, they asked to enhance the role of Parliament as a watchdog institution. They have also asked for the independence of the Judiciary and the Electoral Commission of Zambia. The independence of the Attorney General's office, the independence of the Auditor General's office, the institutions of governance," Mwanza said.
"The people of Zambia understand that power should be entrusted in institutions and not individuals. Because if institutions of governance are more powerful, then we know we are safe and secure. It's very dangerous to entrust powers in a man born of a woman. That's why people have been submitting that they need governance institutions to have supreme powers over man."
Mwanza said there was need to respect the constitution-making process by only including the wishes of the majority citizens in the final copy of the constitution.
"A constitution is a very important document in any society where people live. And we know that a constitution is a document of the land that spells out the values, aspirations of the people of a particular land that they have.
This is why if we want a government that is properly balanced, the Executive that has no excessive powers, powers which they can easily abuse; if we want to have a Legistrature that is proactive and representing the people's wishes, making laws that are relevant to bring development to its people at the grassroots; if we want a Judiciary that can be a panacea of justice, Judiciary that can ensure fairness, a Judiciary that everyone can be looked upon without a face that the law can be actually blind, then you need to have a constitution that epitomises the aspirations of the people," he said.
Meanwhile, Mwanza said the current Constitution was feeble, resulting in the government's failure to provide sustainable development to the people.
"The government's failure to provide leadership and ensure we secure these minerals that the Chinese and other foreign countries are looting from our mines is because of a weak Constitution we have. The failures by us as a people to hold our leaders accountable is because of bad laws we have. We have people that have been stealing from this country, looting government coffers, and they have walked to freedom because the laws we have are so weak that we cannot prosecute them. Today, we have court cases that are academic because the laws we have cannot guarantee the conviction of a former head of state," he said.
Mwanza asserted that the government had continued to abuse powers and national resources due to feeble laws.
"Today, we have a government that has continued to abuse people's rights, a government which continues not to adhere to the people's rights. People are jailed without the due process of the law. We have a government which is now picking up people from their homes and put them in jail without possible trials and later on the DPP (Director of Public Prosecutions), in his famous ruling, goes for nolle prosequi as he has always been doing, because we have weak laws in the country. The people's development cannot be guaranteed," said Mwanza.
Labels: ANTONIO MWANZA, CONSTITUTION, FDD
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Govt has shown political will on constitution, says Bwalya
By Kabanda Chulu and Abel Mboozi
Wed 16 Oct. 2013, 14:01 CAT
THERE is no corresponding improvement in the living conditions of people despite the extraordinary increase in the size of the national budget, says Bweengwa member of parliament Highvie Hamududu.
And Lubansenshi member of parliament, Patrick Mucheleka has advised the government to stick to the budget and not treat the document as a mere piece of paper. Meanwhile, Alliance for Better Zambia president Frank Bwalya says the PF government has shown political will towards the constitution-making process by providing over K44 million towards the exercise.
Bwalya has also commended the government for raising the Pay As You Earn tax exempt threshold to K3,000 from K2,200 last year. Commenting on the K42.68 billion (US$ 8 billion) budget announced last Friday by finance minister Alexander Chikwanda, Hamududu said the government should start addressing challenges of implementation deficit.
"The PF government has doubled the budget amount from what they found, but what is of concern is that there is no corresponding improvement in the living conditions of people… poverty is still high, inequality is widening, education standards are not improving, unemployment rates are still high and death rates are also still high," said Hamududu. "This means that we are not making progress despite the huge amounts that are being spent. So, government should engage public service workers to sign performance contracts like what President Paul Kagame is doing in Rwanda.
This way, we shall create a system that will make everyone perform and it will also help to weed out non-performers. Actually, performance-based approach will produce results since people will apply seriousness to service delivery."
And Mucheleka said the 2014 budget seemed to be an ambitious and good document.
"But given the experience of 2013, where government borrowed beyond what they had projected, we don't know how they will implement most of the programmes contained in the budget document. We know what has necessitated the increase, it is the desire to improve social services, which is a good thing," Mucheleka said. "But how do you fund the budget with 25 per cent borrowing? There is nothing wrong in borrowing if the money is invested in productive sectors but our fear is that this government sometimes borrows without having any ideas on how to spend the money and they have no regard to the budget which they treat as a mere piece of paper."
He advised the government to widen domestic resource mobilisation instead of resorting to borrowing.
"We expected to see measures of broadening the tax base, including the capture of the informal sector and how to maximise revenue collections from the mining sector which engages in tax avoidance," Mucheleka said.
He said Zambia was likely to slide back into the debt trap due to lack of a consistent and transparent debt strategy.
"By his own admission, the finance minister said Zambia's debt stands at US$3.2 billion as at September 30, 2013, and when you add the K10.51 billion which they intend to borrow in 2014, then the debt levels will rise and by the time PF will complete its tenure, we might even exceed the US$7.2 billion debt that was cancelled in 2006," said Mucheleka.
And Bwalya said the government's allocation of money for the constitution making process in the 2014 budget was commendable.
"We are happy that there is a provision for the constitution-making process, although it's clear that the government does seem to favour a referendum to legitimise the entire process as a popular way of adopting the constitution. But the fact that some money, about K44.2 million, has been set aside for the exercise is in itself a good step," he said.
On the PAYE exempt threshold of K3,000, Bwalya said the move would put more money in the few people who were in formal employment.
"Against this background, we urge the government to do more to stimulate the economy,create more meaningful jobs so that more people can feel the impact of this good policy by the PF. Overall, we feel it's a good budget that should be implemented in a pragmatic manner so as to benefit the poor citizens in our nation," he said.
Bwalya noted however, that having a good budget was not enough but what mattered was its effective implementation.
"As the government implements the 2014 budget, it should do so with prudence and financial discipline so that the welfare of our people is uplifted for them to make economic progress," he said.
Bwalya urged the government to stick to the budget next year and avoid unbudgeted for projects and activities at all costs.
"If this is not done, we fear that there will be increased borrowing and we shall even deplete the reserves. We are fearful of that because it's us that will bear the burden of paying back such debts in future," said Bwalya.
Labels: CONSTITUTION, FRANK BWALYA, PATRICK MUCHELEKA
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(HERALD ZW) Zanu-PF parliamentary majority godsend – Mnangagwa
October 2, 2013
Farirai Machivenyika Senior Reporter
Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday said the resounding victory by Zanu-PF in the July 31 harmonised elections will enable the party to effectively implement its policies and programmes in Parliament without hindrances that were caused by the previous hung Parliament.
Minister Mnangagwa said this in his congratulatory message to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Cde Jacob Mudenda, and his deputy, Cde Mabel Chinomona, in the National Assembly.
“The just ended Seventh Parliament, which was in fact a hung Parliament, naturally it was not always easy to debate issues and pass Bills as no party would effectively implement its policies or its manifesto.
“Now that Zanu-PF won a landslide on July 31 and holds and commands a comfortable majority in both Houses (National Assembly and Senate), as leaders, it is now possible to debate and enact programmes and policies outlined by His Excellency the President and Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces in his address at the opening of the Eighth Parliament of Zimbabwe,” he said.
Minister Mnangagwa said Zimbabweans now awaited the fulfilment of promises made by Zanu-PF in its election campaign, adding it was incumbent upon Cde Mudenda to direct debate in the House.
Zanu-PF won 160 seats of the 210 contested seats in the just ended elections with the MDC-T winning a paltry 49 while one was won by an independent.
With the inclusion of seats from proportional representation Zanu-PF has 197, the MDC-T 70 while the Welshman Ncube led MDC formation has two. President Mugabe trounced his MDC-T opponent Mr Morgan Tsvangirai after he garnered 61,09 percent of the vote as compared to Mr Tsvangirai’s 33,94 percent.
“The electorate now awaits the fulfilment of the promises we made to them during the election campaigns with bated breath.
“Indeed the task of superintending and ensuring robust and constructive debate around these issues without denigrating the powers of the judiciary lies in your (Cde Mudenda) hands,” he said.
Zanu-PF ran its election campaign under the theme “Indigenise, Empower, Develop, and Create Employment”.
The revolutionary party promised to vigorously pursue indigenisation policies through the transfer of majority ownership of resources into the hands of majority blacks.
Labels: CONSTITUTION, EMMERSON MNANGAGWA, GLOBAL POLITICAL AGREEMENT, PARLIAMENT
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(NEWZIMBABWE) Tsvangirai ‘betrayal unforgivable’: Madhuku
Happier times ... Morgan Tvangirai with Lovemore Madhuku at a campaign event
29/09/2013 00:00:00
by Staff Reporter
NCA LEADER Lovemore Madhuku has hit out at ex-premier Morgan Tsvangirai, accusing him of helping foist on the country a constitution that was “more repressive” than the Lancaster House independence charter.
Madhuku, who has been dismissed as a Zanu PF sympathiser by former allies in the MDC-T, was addressing the NCA’s three-day congress in Harare where delegates agreed to transform the organisation into a fully-fledged political party.
“I will never forgive Tsvangirai and his party for leaving the people with a heavier burden than before; they left us with a more repressive constitution than the old Lancaster house constitution,” he said.
The NCA – which has campaigned for a “new democratic constitution” over the last sixteen years – was one of the organisations that helped found the MDC in 1999.
But relations between Madhuku and Tsvangirai soured after the MDC-T leader agreed to join President Robert Mugabe and his Zanu PF party following the violent 2008 elections.
The NCA chief was to become a spikey critic of the prime minister after the MDC-T leader endorsed the constitution adopted following a referendum in March this year.
Critics dismiss the new charter as a self-serving political compromise between Zanu PF and the MDC parties.
Madhuku said the MDC-T did not even understand the constitution they helped craft which was demonstrated by the many legal blunders the party made as it tried to deal with the fall-out from its defeat by Zanu PF in the July 31 elections.
He said MDC-T officials had labelled him a Zanu PF sympathiser after he called them out for erroneously interpreting the constitution on various issues including the election of mayors.
“They do not know what they wrote. This is why they are always approaching the wrong courts,” he said adding MDC-T officials had “slept” while Zanu PF officials crafted the new constitution.
“Don’t waste your time going to Douglas Mwonzora (MDC-T spokesperson and former Copac co-chairperson) or Tendai Biti (MDC-T secretary-general and former GPA chief negotiator) if you want to understand the constitution. You have to go to (Finance minister Patrick) Chinamasa,” he said.
About 300 delegates attended the congress which ended on Saturday including MDC99 leader, Job Sikhala who, Madhuku said, had “interests in the new party”.
Madhuku also introduced disgruntled MDC-T members, among them Amon Chinhara from Redcliff as well as former Harare deputy mayor Emmanuel Chiroto saying they were also interested in joining the new party.
The party will be led by an interim committee chaired by Madhuku until a substantive leadership is elected at a congress which has been slated for March next year.
Labels: CONSTITUTION, LOVEMORE MADHUKU, MDC, MORGAN TSVANGIRAI
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No need for ultimatums over the constitution - Shamenda
By Abel Mboozi
Fri 13 Sep. 2013, 14:01 CAT
THERE is no need for anybody to give the government ultimatums on the constitution-making process which is on course, says Fackson Shamenda.
Shamenda, who is acting chief government spokesperson, said in Lusaka that the issue of the constitution was important, thus stakeholders should learn to engage the government over the same.
"Giving the government ultimatums and running through the back door over this important national issue is unreasonable," Shamenda said in reaction to demands by a coalition of civil society organisations claiming that the exercise has been prolonged unnecessarily.
Shamenda said the previous government made various attempts to review the constitution but nothing tangible came out.
"We have only been in power for two years but we have reached an advanced stage over the constitution review process. People should therefore not derail us with ultimatums," he said.
Shamenda said the government wanted to mould a better constitution that would stand a test of time and it was doing so in a transparent manner.
He said there was no need for anybody to panic over the constitution-making process because the PF government was determined to accord Zambians a better constitution.
On Tuesday, Beatrice Grillo, who spoke on behalf of the civil society coalition, said it was unacceptable that for 17 years, Zambia had continued to battle with the issue of the constitution review process.
"As civil society, we are dismayed by the prolonged delay in finalising the constitution review process. We still believe this work would have been finalised by now had government premised this important task on a clear and well thought out roadmap," she said.
Grillo said the civil society expected the government to priotise the drafting process and deliver to the public a second draft constitution by September 30, 2013.
She said the coalition had resolved not to allow fragmentation of civil society voice to make it easier for those in power to divide, rule, manipulate and weaken them.
"We vow to remain united for the sake of all Zambians because the constitution is food on the table for every citizen. A people-driven constitution delivers economic and social liberty for all. It's a liberation and good governance tool," she said.
Grillo said the government must come out in the open on the issue of the referendum.
"As civil society, we still stand by our position that the referendum will be the best mode of adopting this important national document," said Grillo.
Labels: BEATRICE GRILLO, CONSTITUTION, FACKSON SHAMENDA
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New good constitution a must - Lungu
By Masuzyo Chakwe
Tue 11 June 2013, 14:00 CAT
ZAMBIA Episcopal Conference secretary general Father Cleophas Lungu says a good constitution will see medicine in hospitals and food on the tables of Zambians.
Civil society organisations promoting good governance in Zambia are gathered in Chisamba to analyse the constitution-making process and what stage it has reached.
The organisations are also planning a series of advocacy actions to undertake in the event that the country goes to a referendum after June 30 when the technical committee releases the draft constitution.
Giving a keynote address, Fr Lungu said he was of the firm belief that those gathered at Protea Hotel were champions of good governance in Zambia and meant well for the country.
He said after 17 wasted years, Zambia could not afford to see wastage of resources in constitutional reforms.
"We see the constitution as a prerequisite for development," he said.
FrLungu said a good constitution would see medicine in hospitals and food on people's tables adding that a new constitution must be done in a good and right way.
He said a new good constitution for Zambia was a must.
Fr Lungu said the civil society organisations had agreedto come up with a consolidated basic minimum for what the Zambian constitutions should have which would then be used to judge if the document from the technical committee met the basic standard of a good constitution.
He said the CSOs were also gathered to plan for what action to take if theconstitution was not produced on time.
Fr Lungu gave an example of the private member's bill to compel the government prepare for a referendum and prepare a budget for the adoption of the new constitution.
"We need to remain vigilant and we need to remain alert. Past experience has shown that we cannot entrust the whole process in the hands of the politician. Remember'All it takes for bad things to happen is for good people to remain silent'" he said.
"All of us in this room are good people and we mean well for this country. I truly believe that 'Every human being must always aspire to inspire before one expires'."
CSOs meeting include Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP), Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), the Oasis Forum, MISA, Panos, SACCORD, ZaCoMeF, WFC, WILSA and several youth organisations.
The meeting which started yesterday ends today.
Labels: CLEOPHAS LUNGU, CONSTITUTION
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(HERALD ZW) ANC, US congratulate Zim on constitution
Friday, 24 May 2013 00:00
Farirai Machivenyika Senior Reporter
South Africa’s ruling African National Congress
(ANC) and the United States ambassador to Zimbabwe have congratulated President Mugabe and the generality of Zimbabweans following the coming into law of a new Constitution for the country on Wednesday.
Zimbabweans from across the political divide also saluted the inclusive Government for successfully sealing the constitution deal without external meddling.
ANC spokesperson Jackson Mthembu said in a statement the commitment shown by Zimbabweans in writing the new constitution showed it was possible for a country to find solutions to their challenges without external interference.
“The free, fair and peaceful nature of the referendum and the evidence of a mature democracy in Zimbabwe are a clear pointer to the free and fair elections we believe Zimbabwe shall hold in the near future.
“The recent events have demonstrated the commitment of all political parties and the people of Zimbabwe to ensure the realisation of this vision of free and fair elections that are not only in their interest but in the interest of the continent as a whole,” Mthembu said.
“Africa is indeed rising, marking an end to decades of underdevelopment, poverty and subjugation.
“The tenacity and resilience shown by the people and Government of Zimbabwe must serve as an inspiration to many of us on how a country`s people, when united, can seek and find their own solutions to challenges facing them.”
The constitution became the supreme law after President Mugabe appended his signature to the document at a ceremony held at State House on Wednesday.
“The signing of the constitution is a culmination of a process that started when the people committed themselves and participated in a free and fair referendum earlier this year.
“Parliament then passed the constitution unanimously, leading the way to the signing into law by the President today (Wednesday). The new constitution marks a significant milestone in the successful implementation of the Global Political Agreement and the democratic life of Zimbabwe.
“It is further a signal of a new beginning for that country premised on mutual co-operation and the need for further progress,” he said.
Cde Mthembu commended the facilitation role played by Sadc in ensuring that Zimbabwe had a new Constitution.
Zimbabweans welcomed the signing into law of the new constitution saying it showed that Zimbabwe was capable of conducting its internal activities without external influence.
Harare residents who spoke to The Herald yesterday commended the unity of purpose exhibited by Zimbabweans and parties in the inclusive Government for coming up with the constitution despite the sharp differences that existed when the process began.
Ms Wadzanai Dimingo, a resident of Tafara high-density suburb in Harare, said the new Constitution was a sign of political maturity by Zimbabweans.
“This is an example of the vibrant democracy and maturity in our country and I just hope that the same maturity will be exhibited during the forthcoming elections that we want held as soon as possible to ensure the country moves forward from the challenges we have faced in the past decade,” she said.
Another Harare resident, Lovemore Tembo, said the completion of the constitution-making exercise was a slap in the face of the country’s detractors and prophets of doom.
“There are so many people out there who have wished for the situation in the country to degenerate into chaos but the peaceful completion of this exercise shows that we can achieve a lot as a country if we have unity of purpose.
“We also do not want foreign meddling.
“We hope all other issues affecting the country at the moment can be resolved using the same commitment that was shown during the constitution making process,” he said.
Labels: CONSTITUTION, COPEC
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(NEWZIMBABWE) Mugabe to sign Constitution Wednesday
21/05/2013 00:00:00
by Staff Reporter
PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe is expected to sign the country’s new Constitution on Wednesday, paving the way for fresh elections to choose a substantive government.
Mugabe’s spokesperson, George Charamba, said the veteran leader would give his assent to the charter at State House with other GPA leaders and members of Copac management committee expected to attend.
“Once the signing is done, the document goes for gazetting and in terms of coming into force, there are two critical dates, the publication date and the effective date,” Charamba told the Herald newspaper.
Zimbabweans overwhelmingly approved the new Constitution in a referendum held on March 16 with the legislature also endorsing the document last week.
Mugabe’s assent pretty much concludes one of the key reforms agreed to under the GPA pact which gave birth to the unity government between Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai in 2009 following a bloody presidential run-off election in 2008.
Both leaders say the coalition – a transitional arrangement initially supposed to have lasted 18 months but has dragged on for four years – was no longer workable but have yet to agree the actual date for new elections.
Tsvangirai is targeting an October poll saying more reforms must be implemented to ensure credible elections but Mugabe is adamant the vote cannot be delayed beyond the end of the current Parliament on June 29.
Responding to an application before the Supreme Court seeking to compel him to name an election date by June 29, Mugabe said he was not minded to rule by decree.
He added the automatic expiry of Parliament on June 29 would create an untenable constitutional crisis if new polls were not held.
The court last Friday throw out a bid by Tsvangirai to stop it from hearing the application filed by Harare resident Jealousy Mawarire on an urgent basis.
In papers filed on his behalf by Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa, Mugabe said: “(I) understands that he is under legal obligation in terms of the Constitution to issue a proclamation fixing a date for the harmonised elections, which date must fall before 29 June 2013.
“First respondent is fully cognisant of the provisions of Section 63 (4) of the Constitution to the effect that Parliament shall stand dissolved on June 29 2013 by operation of law. This means that there will be no lawful legislative authority after that date, save the Office of President.
“First respondent is totally averse to running the country through Presidential decrees in the absence of a Parliament. The Constitutional void thereby created is untenable and will precipitate a Constitutional crisis and should be avoided.”
Labels: CONSTITUTION, GEORGE CHARAMBA, ROBERT MUGABE
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(SUNDAY MAIL ZW) Farmers hail passing of constitutional Bill
Sunday, 12 May 2013 00:00
Emilia Zindi Agriculture Editor
Farmer organisations have hailed the passing of the Constitutional Bill in the House of Assembly last Thursday, describing the development as the beginning of a new era in the farming sector. All the 156 legislators who attended the parliamentary session overwhelmingly voted for the Bill, exceeding the two-thirds statutory requirement.
The Bill, which now awaits Senate approval, is expected to become law soon after the President assents to it.
In separate interviews last week, farmer representatives said the House of Assembly’s endorsement was a clear sign that Zimbabwe had come of age.
Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers’ Union president Mr Wonder Chabikwa said farmers were happy Zimbabwe was on the verge of adopting a home-grown constitution, which guarantees their right to land allocated under the land reform programme.
He also said the proposed new constitution gives farmers the confidence to invest on farms, knowing the land reform programme is irreversible.
“This is a great achievement for us in the farming sector. We will have the right to land allocated to us. The new constitution is great in that it recognises that the land reform programme was necessary. As such, resettled farmers are the rightful owners of those pieces of land,” he said.
“We, as farmer organisations, wanted elections as early as yesterday because the agriculture sector has suffered heavily under this creature called the inclusive Government. We have not been supported fully.”
Zimbabwe Farmers’ Union vice-president Mr Berean Mukwembe said the farming sector stood on the verge of making history. “It is key for farmers to vote so that we get the support we desperately need in the revival of this crucial sector. It is well known the world over that without farmers, there is no production,” he said.
“Most farmers have been caught under this predicament where they invest the little cash they have into the soil only to be disappointed when the crop withers in the middle of the season.
“This now requires Government to seriously consider investing in irrigation schemes on every farm that has access to dams.”
Labels: AGRICULTURE, CONSTITUTION
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There's no substitute for a people-driven constitution
By Editor
Wed 17 Apr. 2013, 14:01 CAT
President Michael Sata says he is determined to facilitate a people-driven constitution and urges delegates to the national convention to consider the assignment a call to national duty.
The constitution is at the heart of the nation-building process. And as such, the constitution should reflect the wishes and aspirations of the people. The people shall be truly free only when their constitution is people-driven.
Democracy is essentially built on and sustained by a constitution representative of the desires of the people and not the desires of the ruling party and its government. In the past, we have seen amendments to our Constitution reflecting the wishes of the ruling party and its government. For the first time, we are seeing the absence of the dominance of the ruling party in our constitution-making process. This is something positive. This is something we should defend and ensure is not lost in whatever political expediency may arise.
As the slogan goes, a democracy is a government of the people by the people for the people. As such, a democracy demands that a constitution be as representative as possible of the citizens' wishes and desires.
Both the process of coming up with a constitution and the content of the constitution must be as representative of the people's aspirations as possible. This is so because the constitution of a country is a national document of the highest importance. As the supreme law of the land, it must be recognised and respected as embodying the sovereign will of majority of the people.
The pursuit of justice must be a fundamental norm of the state. The foundation of good government must be established on a sound basis of laws.
Authentic democracy is possible only in a state ruled by law, and on the basis of a correct conception of the human person.
In a democratic state, authority comes from the people and, as such, it is the people who should make the constitution, and no one else. We can learn many things from other peoples in the world. We can even receive help from others in our constitution-making process. But at the end of the day, whatever constitution we come up with should be the product of the collective wisdom, wishes, dreams, desires and aspirations of our people.
The Zambian people do not want a constitution that is given to them or driven by the ruling Patriotic Front for their national constitution.
Equally, they do not want a constitution that is donor-driven to be their national constitution. An imported constitution won't do. And it shouldn't be a matter of cutting and pasting articles from the constitutions of other countries. We can come up with our own constitution that reflects our collective wishes and desires. Copying other people's constitutions will not take us far. The constitution of 1964 was written for us by others. We have not fundamentally moved away from that constitution in many respects. Many aspects of that constitution remain intact even after the amendments to accommodate the one-party state. Equally, not many things changed after amendments were made to revert to multipartism.
We have had too many constitution review initiatives. Almost every government that has come in since 1991 has had a constitution review programme either inherited from the previous government or initiated by itself. This process is financially expensive and excessively time-consuming. We have an opportunity to put this to an end for a long time to come. And this can only be done if adequate consensus is built around this constitution-making process and the process is people-driven.
We should also avoid the danger of having our constitution-making process driven by expediencies of the moment. We should not put immediate political agendas ahead of long-term national interests.
Yes, there can be tactical partisan advantages in having certain things or in not having certain things in the constitution. But these are short-term, the realities will catch up with all of us a few years from now. It's like the issue of the public order Act.
Those who were comfortable with it a few months ago are today finding it undesirable. They were finding it comfortable because they were in government. And now that they are in the opposition, their circumstances have changed and they are no longer able to extract the benefits they got from it when they were in power.
There are many other provisions that are being debated today that are a product of political expediency. It may be necessary to mull over things and consider the long-term effects of some of these provisions we are pushing for or we are opposed to. Time moves very fast and, equally, realities catch up with us very fast. Being in a raincoat when there is no rain, when the rainy season is over can be a very uncomfortable thing.
Equally, being in a T/shirt when it's very cold because one had prepared for a hot weather can be agony. If you are in the rain, think of what it will be like when there is no rain. Don't forget about the cold weather when you are under the hot sun of October. Prepare a constitution that addresses all the changes in weather. In a word, what we are trying to say is let's prepare a constitution that answers more to the fundamental principles we want to anchor our country on and not expediencies of the moment.
Constitution-making is not an easy undertaking because there are many interests in a nation that need to be reconciled or harminised.
There has to be a lot of consensus building so that at the end of the day, we come up with a constitution that we all feel is ours and serves our desires and aspirations. Just as much as we do not want a ruling Patriotic Front-driven constitution, we should not in any way be tempted to have an opposition or NGO-driven constitution. What we need is a people-driven constitution. There is no substitute for a people-driven constitution.
Labels: CONSTITUTION, MICHAEL SATA
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Government to gazette Draft Constitution following landslide “Yes” vote
Wednesday, 20 March 2013 08:59
Charlotte Musarurwa
The Government is now expected to gazette the Draft Constitution after more than 3 million Zimbabweans voted in favour of the proposed new supreme law during last Saturday’s referendum.
The document will be presented to Parliament 30 days after gazetting. A two-thirds majority should endorse the Draft for it to be presented to the President for assent.
Announcing the referendum result at the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission command centre in Harare on Tuesday, Chief Elections Officer Mr Lovemore Sekeramayi said 3 079 966 people voted “Yes” while 179 489 voted against the Draft.
Also speaking at the command centre, Zec chairperson Justice Rita Makarau said: “The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has now completed the collation process of the referendum result. Allow me on behalf of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to thank and congratulate the people of Zimbabwe for the demonstration of maturity shown during the conduct of the referendum, which was a peaceful process throughout.
“Also allow me to thank all observers and observer missions who took time to observe the process and have given insights into our readiness and capabilities for the anticipated general elections later in the year.
“I also wish to congratulate the constitutional parliamentary committee (Copac) for the work carried out in coming up with a Draft Constitution which was the subject of this referendum.”
Labels: CONSTITUTION, COPAC
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95 percent Zimbabweans approve new constitution
19/03/2013 00:00:00
by AFP/Reuters
ALMOST 95 percent of Zimbabweans voted in favour of a new constitution that paves the way for new elections, results showed Tuesday.
Tallies released by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) reported 3,079,966 voters were in favour of the new constitution and 179,489 were against. A total of 56,627 votes were spoilt. The official turnout of 3,317,695, which is well more than half the 5,6 million eligible voters, was higher than many analysts had expected.
The voter turnout easily dwarfs the 1,282,302 votes cast in the 2000 referendum when Zimbabweans rejected a draft constitution sponsored by President Robert Mugabe’s government and opposed by trade unionists and rights groups.
The turnout is also higher than the 2,696,670 who voted in the 2005 general elections, the 2,421,973 who cast their ballots in the March 2008 general elections and the 2,514,750 who voted in the June 27, 2008, presidential election run-off.
The new constitution sets a maximum of two five-year terms for the president. However, the limit will not apply retroactively, so Mugabe, 89, and in power since independence from Britain in 1980, could rule for the next decade.
Presidential decrees will also require majority backing in the cabinet, and declaring emergency rule or dissolving parliament will need the approval of two-thirds of lawmakers, changes that will take effect after the next election.
A new constitution and a referendum were conditions of a 2008 power-sharing deal between Mugabe’s Zanu PF and the two rival MDC factions led by Morgan Tsvangirai and Welshman Ncube.
The constitution will now be rushed through Parliament and then be delivered to President Mugabe’s desk for assent before it becomes the supreme law.
Mugabe is expected to announce dates for the general elections shortly afterwards.
Labels: CONSTITUTION, COPAC
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Thousands decide on constitution
Saturday, 16 March 2013 22:03
Sunday Mail Reporters
Thousands of Zimbabweans voted in a peaceful constitutional referendum yesterday with President Mugabe reiterating that all stakeholders were consulted during the crafting of the Draft Constitution.
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) could not readily give national statistics by last night, but information gathered countrywide shows that most polling stations recorded high voter turnouts in the morning and towards the close of polls.
A few polling stations opened way after the scheduled 7am owing to the late delivery of voting material, among other reasons. Dual citizenship holders and Zimbabweans below the age of 18 were turned away while no cases of violence were reported.
Three voting centres at Murambinda Growth Point ran out of ballot papers and had to request additional supplies. ZEC chairperson Justice Rita Makarau told journalists in Harare yesterday that vote counting would begin soon after polling stations closed last night.
Uzumba-Maramba-Pfungwe drew huge voter volumes, prompting ZEC to deploy additional manpower to the busiest polling centres such as Katiyo and Chimhodzi.
More than 1 000 ballots had been cast at Mashambanhaka centre in Uzumba by midday. In the Midlands, Gokwe recorded 16 000 voters and Zhombe 9 769 at the close of voting.
In Mutare, 28 497 people had cast their votes by 6pm. Of this figure, 12 943 were drawn from Mutare Central and the remainder from Chikanga-Dangamvura. In Nyanga, 22 465 voters had cast their ballots by 4pm while Chipinge saw more than 30 000 others having voted by noon. Many others were also turned away after failing to produce the requisite documents.
About 15 000 people had voted in Buhera by mid-morning with close to 500 having been denied access to the voting booth.
Speaking to journalists soon after casting his ballot at Mhofu Primary School in Highfield, Harare, President Mugabe said he was confident a majority of voters would endorse the proposed new constitution.
The Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces - who was accompanied by First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe - added that a new Supreme law would fulfill the wishes of a large percentage of the population.
“It is the people who made the constitution. We went round asking the people questions: what sort of Parliament do you want? What sort of President do you want? How many terms?
“People were giving their answer and when we put the Draft together, we invited what were called stakeholders to discuss all parts of the constitution.
“The stakeholders said, ‘Yes, this is what we said and no this is not what we said’, and adjustments were made and corrections were made.”
Responding to concerns that the electorate was not accorded sufficient time to scrutinise the Draft, Cde Mugabe said the views captured in the document originated from the public.
“But, of course, at end of the day, perhaps more time was needed for the people to read the final document. But the views came from the people; the ideas came from the people and, so, we cannot be blamed for having ignored the people.
“From the beginning, we said the exercise was going to be a people-driven exercise and that is what it has been . . . This is a day when we call upon all Zimbabweans to decide our destiny. If we vote ‘yes’ in this referendum, it means our new constitution will have been made.”
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai also cast his vote at Chaminuka Primary School in St Mary’s, Chitungwiza.
He told journalists that the referendum afforded Zimbabweans the opportunity to choose a home-made constitution.
“What is significant for the country is that the people of Zimbabwe are not outsourcing their destiny to anybody else. We have defined this for ourselves,” he said.
In Mutoko, voting kicked off well despite being marred by low voter turnout. Officials at some polling stations in the district distributed voter education materials to those waiting to cast their ballots.
The officials said they received the material late, leaving them without an option, but to distribute it on referendum day.
In Mt Darwin, a heavy downpour in most parts of the district in the morning kept many voters away. The numbers, however, later improved with more voters turning up from mid-morning.
Over 200 people had lined up to vote at Kandeya and Madondo polling stations by 6am while Kamutsenzere and Chiunye saw more than 265 people casting their ballots by 7am.
In Muzarabani, 6 202 voters had exercised their constitutional right by noon.
The voter turnout in Chikomba was low in the morning, averaging 20 people per polling station. The figures only increased as the day progressed. The highest turnout was recorded at Murambinda district office where over 700 people had voted by mid morning.
Officials said the 47 polling stations in the constituency had recorded over 100 voters each by 10am.
In Marondera, urban polling stations witnessed high turnouts while rural centres recorded low numbers. An average of 20 people reported at urban centres every hour.
In Zhombe, there was no activity at Bertha Mine polling station by 7am. Only polling officers were ready to cast their vote while waiting for the general electorate to pitch up.
About 20 people had already queued at Zhombe Mission by that time while some locals who sought to observe the poll were turned away because they were not accredited.
In Gokwe, nearly 200 people thronged Raji polling station in Chemagora. The voters formed a long queue and were allowed into the centre in batches of 30.
Over 100 people had cast their votes by 9 30am, according to the returning officer, Mr Ganyiwa Gift Allan.
However, the number of voters at most polling stations at Gokwe Centre was low. Some areas in the district were inaccessible by road, prompting Zec officials to use a helicopter.
In Hurungwe, voting started at a slow pace, but, later gathered pace.
Most of the polling stations in and around Karoi and Magunje were yet to record 100 voters by 9am.
The situation was, however, different in the surrounding farming areas where some polling centres had recorded more than 400 voters by 11am.
In Mazowe, voting started at the scheduled time with the number of voters increasing as the day progressed. A total of 31 dual citizenship-holders were turned away at three polling stations in the morning.
Communication problems between constituencies were also experienced owing to the district’s predominantly mountainous terrain.
Gutu witnessed a low voter turnout at most polling stations with the elderly forming the bulk of voters. Most voters in Harare visited polling stations in the morning with Town House recording about 2 000 ballots by the close of voting.
In Mount Pleasant, several voters turned up well before polling officers while other areas such as Avondale, Alexandra Park and Belgravia saw more youths voting.
There was a low turnout at polling stations in Borrowdale whereas long queues formed at many polling centres in Mbare, Highfield, Glen Norah and Glen-View.
Zaka and Bikita recorded huge volumes of voters most of whom turned up to cast their ballots at around 6.30am.
In Zaka Central, where Zec set up 46 polling stations, voters also formed long queues. Voting was smooth throughout the Zaka constituencies. The situation was the same in Bikita.
Voting also progressed smoothly in Hurungwe and Kariba where all stations opened on time.
By around 6pm, there was no activity at nearly all polling stations visited.
The latest statistics could not be obtained at Kariba district command centre, but, 3 900 people had voted by 10am and 175 had been turned away.
Zec officials were making frantic efforts to assist about 80 fishermen on an island on Lake Kariba who wished to vote. A boat had been secured for the exercise.
In Zvishavane, lack of adequate voter education resulted in hundreds of prospective voters being turned away while voter apathy was evident in urban areas.
Voting also went on peacefully in Masvingo with 205 589 people having cast their votes in the province’s seven districts by 2pm.
About 4 674 others had also been turned away for various reasons, including failure to provide the required identity documents.
In Bulawayo, most polling stations were male-dominated while youths opted to stay away.
In the city centre, most polling stations started off on a low note, although the numbers increased towards the end of day.
More than 500 people had cast their ballots at the Small and Large City halls before midday while after 2pm the numbers had reached about 800.
The TM Hypermarket polling station attracted the highest number of voters. Over 1 000 people had cast their votes by 2pm. At Queen Elizabeth Primary School in Nkulumane 11 169 people had voted by midmorning while four were turned away for failing to produce proper documents.
A total of 138 people had cast their ballots at Mafekela Primary School in Luveve by lunchtime. At Stanley Square Hall in Makokoba, more than 600 people had voted by 2.30pm while 28 had been turned away for failing to produce the required documents.
In Matobo, the majority of voters were women. Many villagers said they were unaware of the contents of the Draft Constitution, adding that no awareness campaigns were held in their respective areas.
Voting in Umzingwane began on time, albeit with few voters coming to cast their ballots. The figures improved during the course of the day.
Binga recorded a low voter turnout despite having 117 polling stations.
Villagers attributed the low numbers to the long distances they had to walk to the nearest polling stations.
Others said they chose not to vote because they did not know what they were voting for. In Kamativi, some polling stations did not even witness a single person voting by 8.30am.
At Cross Dete there were about seven people at the polling station at 7am.
Bubi and Nkayi, however, registered high voter numbers. In Beitbridge, voting went on peacefully at all the 86 polling stations in the district.
There was a huge turnout at most centres visited.
Lutumba polling station had by 12pm recorded a total of 325 votes while Tshapfutshe and Langeni had 226 and 272 votes respectively.
In Tsholotsho, there was a high turnout of voters with 300 being the highest voter turnout.
In Bulilima, Mangwe and Plumtree, polling started without incident.
In Mashonaland West, voting progressed peacefully although the turnout was rather subdued at several centres.
At Dudley Hall Primary School in Norton, proceedings started with the sealing of ballot boxes in the presence of observers at 6.30am.
Voters started trickling in after 7am, braving the chilly weather.
At Murombedzi Growth Point, the turnout was low in the morning. It was the same situation at Murombedzi Primary School and Murombedzi Vocational Training Centre.
Close to 300 people had cast their vote at the three polling stations at Waverley Primary School in Kadoma by mid morning.
In Sanyati, around 350 people had voted at Sanyati Government Secondary School by late afternoon.
Justice Makarau told journalists that no incidents of violence had been reported. She said some polling stations, however, opened late.
She said: “We have not received any cases of violence. The latest brief that we received from the police was just about 20 minutes ago.
“The reasons for the delays countrywide have been related to fuel shortages, vehicles breaking down and delays in the delivery of polling station materials in some instances.
“We have also experienced bad weather conditions; that is excessive rains in Mashonaland Central, especially, and, lastly, we have also delayed in opening some of the polling stations due to late delivery of tents in Harare province.
“Regarding communication, we are experiencing difficulties in communicating in certain areas especially Matabeleland North and Mashonaland Central.
“The communication lines in Mashonaland Central are currently all down due to bad weather. The provincial logistics committee is trying to establish the cause and to rectify it.”
Sadc Executive Secretary Mr Tomaz Salamao, who is also part of the regional bloc’s observer team, said he was happy with the way Zimbabweans had conducted themselves during the process.
“Everything is going very well and we are happy with the proceedings thus far and in view of that we really commend the Zimbabweans and encourage them to come over and cast their vote,” he said.
Mr Salamao said the successful holding of the referendum had put Zimbabwe in a good position to successfully hold the harmonised elections later this year.
“The referendum is part of the GPA and an important milestone towards the next and most important step (harmonised elections).
“I believe what is next is an important milestone and a historic milestone. We hope that Zimbabweans will perform the same way and take full responsibility of their own destiny.”
Labels: CONSTITUTION, COPAC
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