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NCA
taking charge as leadership goes to the grassroots
National Constitutional Assembly (NCA)
November
17, 2010
National Constitutional
Assembly (NCA) Chairperson Dr Lovemore Madhuku on Tuesday called
on the membership of the organisation to take charge of the constitutional
making process by voting NO in the impending referendum scheduled
for March 2011.
Addressing members
of the public at the three different meetings, the first one being
in Zaka West Ward 32, Makotore Village (Bikita), and Gona Primay
School in Gutu, the NCA leader said the Constitution Select Committee
(COPAC) had completely failed to lead the constitutional reform
process and hence the NCA will actively campaign for a NO vote in
the referendum.
"Since
our formation in 1997, we clearly outlined the benchmarks to lead
us to a democratic constitution. Our position has not changed, we
still insist that the writing of the constitution be led by an independent
commission that encompasses all sectors of society comprising political
parties, churches, students and other sections of society,"
said the revered constitutional law expert.
Dr Madhuku likened
the referendum as a time to choose good or bad. "The time
will come when you all will be required to chose between bread and
stones, and there is no doubt that you will choose bread,"
he said. He also called for unity of purpose in the upcoming referendum.
The meetings
with members of the public are part of the 27th of July 2010 Rainbow
Towers Strategic Indaba Resolutions
and are being held under the banner 'Take Charge, We the people
shall write our own constitution.'
Dr Madhuku further
stated that it was not the responsibility of politicians to determine
how the people should be governed.
On the call
for elections next year, Dr Madhuku bemoaned the violence, intimidation
and the unfavorable conditions that hinder a free and fair poll.
"These
people have for too long a time taken Zimbabweans for granted. First
and foremost we need to address the issue of violence and reforms
in the electoral process and this is only achievable through a new
constitution that is written by the people," he told the gathering.
"There
is no need to rush for an election when the conditions are not changed."
Villagers at
one of the meetings in Zaka said that they are living in fear because
of intimidation instigated by local leaders namely ZANU PF councillor
Watadza, Headmen Makwane and Dhinda who are forcing villagers to
buy ZANU PF cards and to attend their meetings.
"We are
living in fear because we know what these people are capable of
doing," said one old woman who identified herself as Mbuya
Mataruse. "If elections are conducted without international
observers they will be manipulated and we fear that our houses and
our lives will be at risk again," added Mbuya Mataruse.
The villagers
also expressed bitterness with legislators who only come back to
their constituencies when there is talk of an impending election.
In Gutu Dr Madhuku
took a swipe at the Inclusive Government for failing to deliver
the basic social services like health and education. He blamed the
leaders in the Inclusive Goverment for pre-occupying themselves
on trivial issues that do not bring food on the table of the citizens.
The NCA chairperson
was accompanied by other NCA leaders including National Spokesperson
Madock Chivasa, Alosi Dzvairo National Youth Chairperson, Masvingo
Provincial Chairperson Ray Muzenda, and Provincial Youth Chairperson
Mako Shoko.
Visit the NCA
fact
sheet
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