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Minister of Constitutional Affairs, Advocate Eric T Matinenga, answers your questions about the Constitution making process in Zimbabwe
Kubatana.net
May 2010

Kubatana engaged a local flyer distribution company to spread the news about the Constitutional question and answer information service

The Minister of Constitutional Affairs, Advocate Eric T Matinenga answering questions on the Constitution submitted to him by members of the general public

During the month of April, Kubatana opened up the phone lines, SMS receivers and email addresses to solicit questions about the Constitution making process from across Zimbabwe. Throughout May, Advocate Eric T. Matinenga, Minister of Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs, answers these questions.

Every weekday, we will be posting a new question for people to listen to - phone 0914 186 280 up to 7 to listen to the answers now, in English, Shona and Ndebele.

Each week, we will also be posting the answers here.

Read Inside / Out with Minister Matinenga here

View all of the questions submitted by the public here

Week One - View all week one answers, in English, Shona and Ndebele

1. What is the purpose of the Constitution of Zimbabwe? How does the Constitution of Zimbabwe differ from an organisational Constitution - e.g. a youth group - View answer

2. Today's question came from Kudzie, who asked How long is the Constitution making process going to take? When will the outreach programme start, and why has it been so delayed? - View answer

3. Today's question came from Philebon, who asked: What is the role of the Kariba Draft in the Constitution making process? - View answer

4. In Matabeleland and Midlands, if there is no devolution of power we will vote no in the referendum. What is the position on devolution of power? - View answer

5. Today's question has come from a number of people, including Malile, Marlene, Peter and Cicely, who asked: What are the provisions for citizenship? How will citizenship by birth be determined?
- View answer

Week Two - View all week two answers, in English, Shona and Ndebele

1. How will the issue of land tenure in Zimbabwe be addressed in the new Constitution? - View answer

2. How can we ensure that COPAC remains non-partisan? - View answer

3. Today's question came from several different callers, including ones in Mutare and Chipinge. They asked: How will you protect ordinary Zimbabweans to help them feel free to express the views of what they want in the new Constitution? Many of us are already experiencing intimidation. - View answer

4. Today's question has come from a number of people, including Wellington and Kudzanayi. They asked: What will the new Constitution say about the executive branch - such as the age of the President, tenure and terms of office, and whether there is both a President and a Prime Minister? - View answer

5. Today's question comes from Mashasha, who asked - What law can we put in the new Constitution that will hold members of Parliament accountable to their constituents? Can we have a recall vote when our MPs are not performing? - View answer

Week Three - View all week three answers, in English, Shona and Ndebele

1. Today's question has come from Zimbabweans across the country, including Somar: How will our basic human rights be protected in the new Constitution? - View answer

2. How will we ensure that the new Constitution is upheld by all Zimbabweans, even those in Government and the leader of Zimbabwe - and not broken with impunity by some? - View answer

3. Today's question comes from a number of people, including Primrose, Fredy, Onai, and Clark. They ask: How will the rights of minorities - such as the disabled, albinos, ethnic minorities and homosexuals - be protected in the new Constitution? - View answer

4. Kudzie asked our question for today, which is: Are the principals to the GPA able to hold an election without a new Constitution? - View answer

5. Today's question comes from Shame, who asks: How do we ensure that positions of power in government are not abused by those who hold them? What safeguards can be written into the Constitution to prevent military personnel from aligning themselves politically? - View answer

Week Four - View all week four answers, in English, Shona and Ndebele

1. Please explain the different types of representation we could have - such as Parliament and / or Senate, and proportional representation. Also how do we ensure that you do not have to go to a polling station in your ward or constituency when it comes to national elections like voting for President? -
View answer

2. Today's question comes from Vincent, who asked: How do we protect the people's Constitution from being amended as frequently as the current Constitution has been? How do we protect the Constitution from being altered for political gain? - View answer

3. How will the new Constitution deal with perpetrators of political violence? - View answer

4. Will there be compensation for victims of political violence? - View answer

5. Today's question has come from a number of people, including Reason, Robert, Kudzai and Gift. They ask: Please explain what will happen with the draft Constitution. What will happen if Parliament rejects the new draft but people approve it in the Referendum, or if people reject the draft Constitution that Parliament has approved? - View answer

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