HARARE —
Lawmakers celebrated Wenesday the completion of the constitution-making process by adopting the draft charter and urging the parliamentary select committee (COPAC) and unity government principals to move with speed and call a referendum so ordinary Zimbabweans can have their say.
Copac co-chairman, Douglas Mwonzora, of the Movement for Democratic Change formation of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangiari, moved the motion seeking colleagues in the House of Assembly to debate on the national report, detailing how Zimbabwe came to have the draft, urging the lawmakers to approve what he said was the people’s charter.
His counterparts, Paul Mangwana of Zanu-PF and Edward Mkhosi of the Welshman Ncube led MDC, commended Zimbabweans for their patience as the process took longer than initially expected.
They said they were excited they were able to lead an important national task to its finality.
Mkhosi particularly thanked unity government principals for saving the process which almost collapsed when the first national all stakeholders conference was rocked by violence.
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Report Filed By Irwin Chifera
Mwenezi East lawmaker, Kudakwashe Bhasikiti, said the completion of the constitution-making process has proven to the world that Zimbabweans can manage their own national affairs.
He praised the constitutional draft urging people to support it in the referendum.
The COPAC report and draft received overwhelming support from lawmakers in the senate who said though the process was difficult and marked by chaos and mistrust in the initial stages, it had achieved its mission.
Women’s Affairs Minister and COPAC member, Olivia Muchena, urged Zimbabweans to thoroughly study the constitutional draft so they understand all its provisions.
Debate on the COPAC report resumes in the Senate Thursday.
