The MDC is deeply concerned by the attempts by Zanu PF and President Robert Mugabe to impose the Kariba draft as the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
(Kariba Draft Constitution Document Available HERE)
The MDC held an extra-ordinary national executive meeting on Tuesday, 23 June 2009, and resolved to reject any attempt by Zanu PF to foist the Kariba draft, or any other draft, on the people of Zimbabwe.
The Kariba Constitution was a compromise document drafted by three political parties and initialled on 30 September 2007 to minimize the possibility of a contested election result in 2008, in line with a SADC resolution that had given birth to the dialogue. It was an interim Constitution that was meant to be used only for the 2008 election, but on 4 December 2007, Zanu PF refused to implement the Kariba draft. Its function and intended purpose therefore died on 4 December 2007 because of Zanu PF’s intransigence. Zanu
PF cannot resurrect a document meant for the 2008 election which they rejected and turned down in December 2007. They must not be allowed to sneak it through the backdoor when Zimbabweans have ample time to make their own Constitution.
Contrary to the Zanu PF position as expressed in today’s issue of *The Herald*, Article V1 of the GPA does not make any reference to the Kariba draft, let alone making it a sacred document of higher status than the many drafts that are available nationally. Article V1 of the GPA says the Constitution-making process “must be owned and driven by the people and must be inclusive and democratic.” Zanu PF must not be allowed to unilaterally renegotiate the GPA by misrepresenting facts and elevating the status of the Kariba draft.
The MDC is a party of excellence. We believe that the people are at the epicentre of any national process. We believe in a truly people-driven Constitution-making process. We reject the attempt by Zanu PF to prejudge the people by shoving the Kariba draft down their throats. The unfettered will of the people must be allowed to prevail and in the end, we must have a Constitution of the people, for the people and by the people themselves.
Zanu PF’s fear of the people is understandable. They were rejected by the people in the election of 29 March 2008 and they now want to enforce a Constitution on the people in the absence of unfettered participation by the people themselves. We are positive that the people will once again reject the prospects of narrow political interests hijacking an important national process.
The Kariba Draft Constitution is Available Here
Hon. Mr. Nelson Chamisa
Let me the people decide who they want and what they want .Leaders are placed by people and therefore no one should tell what the people must do. Zimbabwe belongs to the mass and not the selfish who want to protect their interests. Im surprised to hear about Emmerson Mnangagwa and Solomon Mujuru fighting over the sucession issue. Zanu pf is already dead and the next President is Tsvangirai unless Zanu Pf terrorises the mass. Why kuita nharo neKariba draft when the people are there. Muri kumhanyira kupi kwamunoda kuita fast track endai kuvanhu, Kariba , Kariba , Kariba chii ichocho? Nharo nga , ukaona munhu achingoita nharo nokusimbirira pane zvaakanyangira. Heee minda ,heee minda ko paunofa unoziva zvinosara zvichiitika here? ( SHAMWARI USAPIKA NAMWARI UCHIDARO INGA ZVINHU ZVINOSANDUKA WANI? AKO TSVANGIRAI PFEE KAPINDA PANYANGA PAIMBONZI HAZVIGONI). Varungu pavanoti tazvitadza vanenge vaona mberi kwete nharo dzinozotsitsirira. IBVAPO TISUNUNGURE NYIKA. Mapurazi iwayo amakapana tichapidigura. Those who are siding with the ageing leader have you ever thought what will happen to you if that man is taken away from this earth or pushed out of power by the mass. GEORGE CHARAMBA watch out.
The Kariba Draft will be used as a basis….one can spin that there are many other drafts that will be reffered to….but we all know that the Draft rejected in 1999 will be rephrased and presented as the New Constitution. And elections will be held in 4 years from now1