There are reports suggesting ZANU PF backed militias have been reactivated to play a pivotal role in mobilising people in rural areas to actively participate in the constitution making process.
While they might have ‘laid down’ their weapons, their mere presence has raised tensions and fears that they might be resuming the type of violence that plagued the MDC during last year’s presidential elections.
Our correspondent Simon Muchemwa told us most militias have been deployed in areas where the MDC made major inroads in last year’s polls. He said ZANU PF fears if its supporters do not particpate in the reform exercise, the consequences could be dire for the party.
“Already there have been skirmishes involving these militias and officials from the MDC in Mutare, Masvingo and some parts of Mashonaland central. The militias are forcing people to attend local or provincial conferences and push for the Kariba draft to be used as a reference point in drawing up a new constitution,” Muchemwa said.
Since last month authorities in the country have started the process to draw up a new constitution under the shaky unity government, amidst a widespread political climate of fear and mistrust, and a devastated economy.
Since independence the country has followed the Lancaster House constitution, but since then the ZANU PF led government has added 18 subsequent amendments to the Constitution, strengthening presidential powers and turning Zimbabwe into an authoritarian country.
In 2001 an attempt to introduce a new constitution was voted off in a referendum, after a fierce campaign by civil society to oppose the repressive regime. Yet, even though the opposition successfully led a NO-vote, important issues such as the unlimited term of the President, powers of the executive and land reform remain unresolved.
Written By : Tichaona Sibanda SW Radio Africa
Zvatotangaso, PM was used to clear Mugabe of any wrong doings. Thus the most quickiest about turn of the century. Nyoka inyoka chete!!! We are heading back to June 2008 or 2nd Gukurahundi.
Yaap, ZANU PF is preparung for next elections. Thats why they want to re-introduce zim dollar so that Gono starts printing money for the youth militia.
People zanu pf is well organized more than MDC we our leadership are packing big bucks in to they pockets and calling people in the diaspora to come home and vote zanu pf is kicking the back sides of many of our poor and those that cant make it and our brothers who are meant to protect these poor people are not even moved they can even go to an extent of saying there was no killing in the chiyadzwa diamond area this is in the MDC and we ask these same people to lead us we have to start asking our selves who are these men are they man in black covered by an MDC jacket but zanu pf in side we need to review and be really vigilant to who must lead us i my self will tell you Morgan T is dead and gone he now wears a jacket of corruption until you people start waking up to this and still think or believe Morgan T is more and still for the people you need to think hard who should lead us and zimbabwe wake up he is full of people passing very good comments about him look at zanu pf during the war when it came to a time when zanu ndoga leader the late N Sitole said all is well lets go home guys many with eyes backed up and took up arms to fight to the end and the late Sithole formed his own army and fourgt even then Robert G Mugabe then with the help of UANC and Ian Smith the late was very hot we where there aged in our 20s then how can some one with all his head tell me when i know Robert Mugabe in and out and even the late J Nkomo that they never would go back home until they where for sure or for real in power Morgan T is still much of a baby when it comes to Mugabe you dont need to feed him with a spoon Chewenga the so called army general that man used to cry during the war for going home he was a weak person just like mai Opa Muchinguri the real deal was people like Josiah Magama Tongogara and the late Tungamirai those where men that would not go back on they word there are allot if you want to know i will let you know lets go back to the MDC forget your so called unity game you cant brush Mugabe with a feather duster Mugabe is made from Iron ok wake up and help the masses please just like what Tongo said we are here because of the masses so open your eyes before the people will get rid of you wake up pamberi ne hondo pamberi ne kuzitonga pambrei ne zimbabwe beautiful zimbabwe our country i fought my part and we have too help there are many of us who are today living out again never thought i was going out for such a long time but i must say to you zimbabwe Mugabe gave you one thing its called education and he cant take it from you Zimbabwe you are very well educated all of you white black and many more you make feel proud and use all you have to get education and fight for what is yours we will meet in zimbabwe one day with a flag of pride and stand a powerful proud nation again pamberi ne zimbabwe pamberi ne kuzvitonga lets fight on for the freedom of us all forget Morgan T now and lets look in the party for the real deal