Major political parties in and outside the inclusive government have ganged up against Zanu PF in demanding term limits for all State functionaries and the need to incorporate the principle of devolution of power in the new constitution.
Addressing a public meeting organised by the Election Support Centre in Harare on Wednesday, representatives of MDC-T, Mavambo/Kusile/Dawn (MKD) and Zapu called for the new constitution to set limits for service chiefs and incorporate of devolution of power.
Buhera West MDC-T MP and Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs minister, Eric Matinenga said the new constitution should not be misconstrued as targeted at individuals.
This constitution is not meant for service chiefs and the President, he said.
Its only meant to put limits of terms to those functionaries and I am in agreement with it personally. I dont think there is anyone who wants to serve forever in any capacity.
If you are going to be commander of an army, you should go for two terms. We dont and are not looking at individuals and that individuals become institutions, we are seeking to building institutions, and you can agree with me that nobody can live forever, Matinenga added.
His sentiments were echoed by MKD president Simba Makoni saying Zimbabwe badly needed transformation.
Leadership must not only articulate what we are against, but what we are for and what we want to be, Makoni said.
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Leaders should offer leadership for the future and not remain prisoners of the past.
Speaking at the same event, Zapu leader Dumiso Dabengwa said the peoples wishes on devolution cannot be wished away by individuals or their political parties.
Zapu and other organisations campaigned for devolution, he said. People demonstrated deep understanding of the need to bring power to the provinces hence the support from the provinces in the results produced so far by the exercise.
But Zanu PF representative Christopher Mutsvangwa accused the three drafters of the new constitution of propagating a Western agenda. President Robert Mugabe and Zanu PF have openly opposed devolution, describing it as divisive.
The veteran ruler is also against security sector reforms saying they were meant to reverse the gains of independence.
