Bulawayo-based pressure group Ibhetshu Likazulu has challenged the Constitutional Parliamentary Select Committee (Copac) to hold the Second All-Stakeholders’ Conference in the city to “give the constitution-making process a national outlook”.
Report by Staff Reporter
Copac co-chairperson Douglas Mwonzora said the conference, initially set for October 4-6, had now been moved to the third week of the month due to logistical challenges.
The venue is yet to be decided.
Ibhetshu Likazulu secretary-general Mbuso Fuzwayo said bringing the conference to Bulawayo would ensure that the process remained inclusive.
“Realising that the constitution-making process is moving towards the Second All-Stakeholders’ Conference, which is one of the critical stages before the referendum, we would like to call upon Copac to consider bringing this event to Bulawayo as the first one was held in Harare,” he said. “We believe that this is a historic national event which Bulawayo, as the second largest city, must host. Ibhetshu Likazulu is not blind to the economic benefits that come with hosting such an event. We are convinced that Bulawayo’s transport and hospitality industries and other businesses will benefit if the event is brought to the city.”
Fuzwayo said his group was concerned that hosting the event in the capital city “would make Harare alone the major beneficiary in this national process, leaving other regions impoverished yet the process is funded by the taxpayers’ money to which Bulawayo contributes”.
