NCA Independence Day Statement

Statement on Zimbabwe’s National Independence Day

The National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) today pays tribute to the gallant sons and daughters of this great country who fought fearlessly for the independence of this country. It is in the same spirit that we register our deep concerns over the way the ZANU-PF government has destroyed the national fabric of this great country.

As we celebrate these thirty two years of self rule we are disappointed that today the culture of ZANU-PF has become so endemic in our society. It is ironic that the state apparatus that are meant to protect the people of Zimbabwe and foster an environment of peace (the army and the police) have become the chief perpetrators of violence and chief violators of human rights. The skewed judiciary system is a total derailment of the gains of the liberation struggle. Those opposed to ZANU PF, are being treated unfairly in our courts of law. 32 years after our independence, the laws governing the land, reminiscent the colonial times were the infamous LOMA was arbitrarily used to crash dissenting voices.

We deplore in the strongest terms the abuse of state machinery by ZANU-PF for political gains.

The national Independence is coming right at a time when Zimbabwe is at the crossroads regarding the writing of a new constitution for the country. As all of you are aware that the Select Committee of Parliament known as ‘COPAC,’ has failed to produce a draft constitution despite all the time and the resources they got from donors.

As the NCA, we passed a vote of NO confidence in COPAC, since the day it was incepted, after a careful analysis that the model as articulated by Article 6 of the Global Political Agreement (GPA), was far from what the people of Zimbabwe envisaged as a process that can yield a truly democratic constitution for Zimbabwe.

Now we are eagerly waiting for the failed COPAC group to officially release their negotiated draft to be tabled for the referendum. Our campaign will be intensified in our villages, townships and farm meetings. As NCA we remain fully committed to the same National Working Peoples Convention resolutions and its commitment to democracy as well as social and economic justice. In the twelve or so years since the NWPC and the formation of the MDC, we have also steadfastly maintained that true democratic change can only be arrived at via a people driven constitution making process and this is reaffirmed in the Zimbabwe’s People’s Charter.

As we celebrate our independence we remain dedicated to our Take Charge campaign for a ‘NO’ vote in the pending constitutional referendum. In campaigning for a NO VOTE in the referendum the NCA is just re-affirming that Zimbabwe needs a home grown, people driven and democratic constitution.

A “NO” vote does not mean that people want to be governed by the current Lancaster House Constitution. It does not mean that we want future elections to be held under the current Lancaster House Constitution. It simply means that we want a good constitution and we are rejecting a bad one.

In opposing the COPAC process, we are not opposing this moral demand. We are fulfilling it. Our argument is that the mistakes of 1979 cannot be repeated. And neither should we settle principle for political expediency. Constitution making is in itself a continuation of a political struggle for democracy. It is the fight for a democratic constitution, we are qualifying the dream of a Zimbabwe we want.

This we cannot allow and we are convinced politicians will realise that Zimbabweans are clear on what they want and the Zimbabwe they want to build. We cannot have the process be driven by those whose power society seeks to limit! It has to be an independent commission – independent from this over-arching hand of politicians! We urge you all to be resolute and steady fast in this front line walk of advancement towards egalitarianism. Let us join hands, take charge and complete this change which is imminent.

Issued by
Madock Chivasa
NCA National Spokesperson
+263 775 614 471

Will a new constitution lead to peaceful elections?

Despite hopes that a new constitution will lead the way to free and fair elections, there are limited signs that Zimbabwe is heading for a peaceful transition to democracy.

Zimbabwe’s constitution-making process is moving into its last stage before a referndum as the Constitution Select Committee (COPAC) is putting the final touches on the draft constitution. Although the political parties seek to give the impression that COPAC is in charge of the drafting, but there is no doubt that the final draft will be a politically negotiated settlement between the parties in the Government of National Unity (GNU), ZANU-PF, MDC-T and MDC-M.

Looking back at the GNU’s disastrous track record, when it comes to finding solutions to Zimbabwe’s economic, political and social challenges, there is a high chance that the constitution will reflect the will of the political elite, rather than the people’s desire for a democratic and socially just Zimbabwe.

What is more worrying, however, is the GNU’s inability to change the political climate in Zimbabwe. For decades the political contest has been characterised by violent repression of pro-democracy forces, which culminated in the extreme levels of political violence during the 2008 elections.

Turning the culture of violence and impunity into a peaceful society based on democratic principles will as a minimum require a re-building of the professionalism in the police, military and court system, which have been heavily politicised in the past decades. Unfortunately the signs are pointing in the opposite direction. A recruitment campaign of ZANU-PF activists into the military and police and Iran’s pledges of military support to Zimbabwe, indicates what to expect as Zimbabwe moves towards the constitutional referendum and elections.

Even in the unlikely event that a democratic constitution is put forward for a referendum and Mugabe gives up his control of the security sector, there is no guarantee that this will lead to an end to the culture of violence and impunity, which has become part and parcel of Zimbabwean politics. Development of a genuine democracy must  come from a broad-based mobilisation of democratic forces, which can push the political elite to become accountable to the people of Zimbabwe.

Africa Contact reporting from Zimbabwe

’I would like more women to participate in politics and leadership in Zimbabwe – they know about things’, a young Zimbabwean woman is telling us. We are visiting Zimbabwe for the 3rd time this year, just a little over two weeks after Denmark elected its first female prime minister and the question of women being a part of decision- making processes, leadership and politics is most present in our minds.

Although reports about Zimbabwean economy are describing a slow recovery after being battered by inflation and political turmoil, companies are still struggling to stay in business, which amongst other things are leaving many Zimbabweans with bleak job prospects.

Unemployment amongst youths in particular is high and many young Zimbabweans feel left behind by the politicians in terms of establishing measures that can support them in getting into higher education or finding a job. On top that tuition fees to enter higher education are almost impossible for students to pay. Furthermore, Zimbabweans we speak with are telling us about how especially young women are finding it difficult being without a job and stories about how they tend to prostitution in order to earn money to survive are becoming more common.

At the same time being unemployed and with depressing prospects of getting a job are making Zimbabwean youths more vulnerable of getting involved with politically motivated activities by the youth militia.

‘So many young people are sitting at home doing nothing, because if they can’t afford university, don’t have job and no money what should they do?’, another young women is asking.

We also meet young women and men who are trying to improve their situations by becoming members of youth organisations in order to promote a change. But just the word ‘change’ can cause you trouble, we are being told, as the word is automatically being linked to rebellious behaviour. So youth organisations are being challenged as potential members fear and sometimes face severe punishments if they engage in their activities. ‘You can be raped and even killed why should we engage in politics – I want to live!’, the young women says.