The technical committee of Zimbabwe’s Parliamentary select committee responsible for writing the country’s new constitution has reached a compromise on the divisive issue of devolution - one of the three outstanding things delaying the completion of the new draft document.
But insiders in President Robert Mugabe's former ruling ZANU-PF are warning that hardliners in their party may torpedo the process as they remain uncomfortable with the changes which might dilute their power base ahead of crucial elections Mr. Mugabe wants held this year.
Sources say the management committee is also on the verge of reaching consensus on the establishment of an independent prosecuting authority but is still to agree on dual citizenship.
Constitutional Affairs Minister Eric Matinenga says the first draft of the constitution is likely to be taken for the second all stakeholders conference before the end of April, before it is put to the people early September.
Sources say the select committee has assembled a twelve member technical committee to complete to process which is currently holed up in Nyanga to finish the job.
Co-chairman Douglas Mwonzora of the MDC formation led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai says the process will be completed it in the next few days.
His co-chairman Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana of ZANU-PF concurs.
He adds, however, that political parties still need to further discuss the devolution issue.
