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Masvingo CSOs discredit the COPAC led constitution making process
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition
January 26, 2011

Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) held a Civic Society (CSOs) briefing meeting on 22 January 2011 at the Flamboyant Hotel in Masvingo which was attended by 35 people representing a cross section of CSOs in the Masvingo province including Zimbabwe Civic Education Trust (ZIMCET), NANGO, ZimRights, Masvingo Agenda and Masvingo City Council.

The meeting intended to update the CSO representatives on the progress of the GNU and constitution making process. Mr Pedzisai Ruhanya, The Coalition's Programme Manager addressed participants on the issue of elections vis-à-vis the constitution making process and highlighted that The Coalition demands a free, fair and transparent electoral processes. He went on to point out that ZANU PF would use the "steal the vote" strategy by employing terror, error and psychological warfare to influence the poll.

Mr Ruhanya concluded by noting that constitution should mirror the national soul as well as the aspirations of a nation. On COPAC led outreach meetings, the following issues were raised by participants:

• In Zimuto attendance was low because the meeting was poorly publicized and it turned into a ZANU PF meeting
• Some participants were coached and as such contributions were one sided
• In Masvingo Ward 2, 3 and 9 councilors were not informed of the meetings. Instead they were given wrong times and venues for the meetings.
• Both ZANU PF and MDC were accused of coaching their supporters as well as prescribed those who could speak at the meeting.
• In ward 2, where councilor Gono resides, it was reported that rapporteurs had verbal confrontation for unknown reasons. The meeting was postponed to a date that was not clearly stated. Participants highlighted that the rapporteurs were not professional as some of them could not use technology which they had.
• In the remote areas and growth points, it was reported that ZANU PF youths were threatening people by saying that they would be filmed at the meetings therefore there was need for them to air views of ZANU PF.
• The meetings were discredited by CSOs who expressed their disappointments with the role played by the traditional leaders (chiefs) and security apparatus who largely influenced the output at these meetings.

The following recommendations were made regarding the constitution making process

• The constitution should be drafted and the decisive point should be the referendum
• The new constitution should be sued as a transitional document which can be reviewed after the transition.

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