Zapu vice president Emelia Mukarikatirwa has said she will engage grassroots members on the draft constitution, currently in the eye of the storm as the three parties to the Global Political Agreement differ on crucial aspects.
In an interview with NewsDay at the weekend, Mukarikatirwa said her party would not impose a position on the people, but will let them decide whether to reject or accept the draft constitution at the referendum.
“We will get back to the people and they will decide what we do,” she said. “As we speak, our structures in the districts all over the country are preparing to discuss the draft with the people. It is not up to us to pre-condition the people’s minds on the draft, but up to the people to decide for themselves.
“We don’t want a repeat of 2000 when some elements of our society pre-conditioned the people’s minds without letting them read and judge the draft constitution for themselves.
“It is up to the people to decide for themselves.” The three GNU parties, Zanu PF and the two MDC formations, have expressed different views on the draft constitution, with Zanu PF saying it wanted some sections on presidential powers and systems of government re-negotiated.
On the other hand, the two MDC parties were adamant that the proposed new governance charter must be taken as it is to the Second All Stakeholders’ Conference and consequently the referendum.
Zapu spokesperson Mark Mbaiwa said consultations with the grassroots would be intensified after the Second All Stakeholders’ Conference.
“We will go back to the grassroots and hear what they want,” Mbaiwa said.
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“After the second all stakeholders’ conference, when we have the final draft, we will go back to the people and find out what they want.”
