×
NewsDay

AMH is an independent media house free from political ties or outside influence. We have four newspapers: The Zimbabwe Independent, a business weekly published every Friday, The Standard, a weekly published every Sunday, and Southern and NewsDay, our daily newspapers. Each has an online edition.

Zapu endorses draft charter

Politics
ZAPU has endorsed the draft constitution and is rallying its supporters to vote “Yes” for the document in the forthcoming referendum

ZAPU has endorsed the draft constitution and is rallying its supporters to vote “Yes” for the document in the forthcoming referendum.

OWN CORRESPONDENT

In a statement yesterday, Zapu alternate secretary-general Strike Mkandla said the party national executive council (NEC) met last Saturday and resolved to endorse the draft charter regardless of its shortcomings on other pertinent issues.

The document, which has already received the backing of Zanu PF, MDC-T and MDC, sailed through Parliament recently without hitches. “Zapu’s NEC is advising members, supporters and all stakeholders to vote ‘Yes’ in the forthcoming referendum on the new constitution,” Mkandla said.

“But we firmly believe that in order not to start from the beginning in fighting for a truly people-centred constitution for Zimbabwe, we should qualify this draft with a ‘Yes’ vote during referendum.”

Mkandla said the draft constitution was a compromise document that gave a fair representation of the expectations of all sectors.

“Consequently the draft adopted by Parliament simultaneously reflects both widening of democratic space and three-legged features dictated by self-interest, most exemplified by what has been dubbed ‘parked’ provisions,” he said.

Civic society groups have already launched public awareness campaigns to educate the public about the contents of the draft constitution ahead of the referendum.

But the Lovemore Madhuku-led National Constitutional Assembly has threatened to campaign against the document, describing it as a “coalition government partners document”.