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Submissions to political parties on political and social developments in Zimbabwe with specific reference to the Constitution review process, performance of the GNU and the call for elections
Zimbabwean Civil Society Organisations
June 05, 2012

We the Civil Society groups listed below hereby make these submissions to Zimbabwe's political parties on a number of socio-political issues that are of concern to us. These submissions are made with a view towards contributing towards finding a lasting solution to the crisis that we face as a society and in the process enable the citizens of Zimbabwe to enjoy peace and pursue life fulfilling endeavours in a conducive environment.

On the Constitution

• Civil society notes with concern that this process has dragged on for too long and call upon the political parties and leadership involved to bring finality to this matter.
• We also request that the final constitutional document carry with it the fundamental democratic principles on constitutionalism that upholds the supremacy of the people of Zimbabwe in electing their leaders, accountability of state organs and a document that allows for transparent and accountable governance. In other words: in political negotiations and horse trading, political parties must respect the fundamental rights of the people of Zimbabwe as well as the need for accountable governance. These principles are sacrosanct and should not be nailed on the cross of political expediency.
• The new constitution must create a service delivery and development oriented government structure and not necessarily pursue a political balancing act.
• We also express concern that despite the talk of the existence of a draft constitution in the media, no official document has been released by COPAC to enable civil society and the generality of citizens to input into this process.
• We also request that COPAC officially release the report on views gathered during the outreach process so that civil society can equally interact with such views in making its contributions on the constitution reform process.
• We request that a discussion be initiated on how the constitutional draft will be subjected to a referendum and the conditions related to this process.

On the Government of National Unity

• We request that the GNU focus on service delivery and hold accountable local governments that are failing on service delivery and are corruption ridden.
• The GNU must set up interactive platforms with civil society in its broad sense and not a select few groups.
• Restrictions placed on civil society in its operations in certain areas that include Masvingo must be lifted.
• There is need to complete the reform agenda including the repeal and/or amendment to laws that include AIPPA, POSA, the Criminal Codification Act and the Broadcasting Services Act.

On the call for elections

• Civil society rejects the call for elections in an environment of fear and uncertainty. The people of Zimbabwe can only exercise their democratic right to elect a leadership of their choice in a violence free environment. The demand for peace is non-negotiable and all political parties must act in unison to ensure peace before the holding of elections. While the GNU leadership has spoken on the need for peace there is serious discordance with actions on the ground. Political parties must take the message of peace to the grassroots and perpetrators of violence must be held accountable. The arrest of those who murdered a political opponent in Mudzi is thus commendable.
• Civil society calls upon the GNU and political parties to institute extensive reforms to electoral practice in Zimbabwe especially focused on revamping the voters roll, strengthening the capacity, efficiency and independence of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, and ensuring a more representative political system.
• We call upon the GNU and political parties to demand a return to constitutional order regarding the role of the security sector and other state organs. The civil service including the security sector must be loyal to the state and not political parties. Political parties must desist from appropriating state organs as party branches for partisan purposes.
• Civil society also demands that all the infrastructure of violence especially the abuse of youths as cannon fodder for violence be stopped.
• Political parties must advocate for the relaxation of stringent voter registration of voters especially targeted at young people.
• To authenticate and legitimise the electoral process political parties must advocate for the observation and monitoring of elections by various groups both local and international.

ENDORSED BY;

Artists for Democracy in Zimbabwe Trust
Bulawayo Agenda
Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association
Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace in Zimbabwe
Combined Harare Residents Association
Commercial Farmers Union
Counselling Services Unit
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition
Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe
Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe
General Agriculture and Plantation Workers Union of Zimbabwe
Law Society of Zimbabwe
Matabeleland Constitutional Reform Agenda
Media Institute of Southern Africa
Media Monitoring Project of Zimbabwe
Musasa Project
National Association of Non Governmental Organisations
National Association of Societies for the Care of the Handicapped
National Constitutional Assembly
National Youth Development Trust
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe
Research and Advocacy Unit
Student Solidarity Trust
Women and Law In Southern Africa
Women's Coalition of Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe Association for Crime Prevention and Rehabilitation of the Offender
Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights
Zimbabwe Civic Education Trust
Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development
Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions
Zimbabwe Council of Churches
Zimbabwe Election Support Network
Zimbabwe Human Rights Association
Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights
Zimbabwe Peace Project
Zimbabwe United Residents Trust

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