Zanu PF Hardliners Push For Elections Without New Constitution

Hardliners in President Robert Mugabe's former ruling Zanu PF party are pushing him to approach his fellow Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) leaders to allow Harare to conduct next year’s elections under the amended Lancaster House constitution.

The irate party hardliners are led by former Information Minister Jonathan Moyo and some senior military officers.

But both formations of the rival Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) have shot down the proposal saying the election roadmap, agreed on by the three political parties in the unity government, calls for a new constitution and a raft of other reforms before the holding of fresh elections.

The management committee, comprising representatives of parties in the inclusive government, is now in charge of the constitution-making process but there is a deadlock on the issue of devolution and dual citizenship.

The two MDC formations want SADC to intervene to break the impasse, but Zanu PF says the constitution-making process must be shelved until a new government is elected which will draft the country’s supreme law.

Zanu PF spokesman Rugare Gumbo told VOA Studio 7 that the MDC formations are frustrating efforts to complete the writing of a new constitution.

Interview With Rugare Gumbo

Human rights lawyer and political analyst Dewa Mavhinga said Zanu PF’s intransigence must not be tolerated by regional leaders.

Mavhinga urged Zimbabweans to unite and confront Mr. Mugabe should he insist on elections without reforms.

Interview With Dewa Mavhinga