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This article participates on the following special index pages:
Talks, dialogue, negotiations and GNU - Post June 2008 "elections" - Index of articles
A new Zimbabwe on the way - Political constipation alert!
Clyde B.
Chakupeta
September 09, 2008
Introduction
After the glories of victory, Mugabe now appreciates the need to
engage the opposition for progress or its his own demise is glaring
him in the face? The statement by Mugabe that the signing of the
Memorandum of Understanding
was 'to chart a new way of political interaction- should
lead Zimbabwe beyond interaction but a political rebirth. We stand
stark to question what the MoU has given birth to some new, positive
political force that will accelerate reform. The Mbeki driven talks
seem to be failing every time because of Mugabe-s refusal
to share power, rather to surrender it to the people-s chosen
leader.
Complexity
of on-going talks
Given the sharp contrast between Morgan and Robber-t, we wonder
what will come out of this understanding that will benefit the majority
of Zimbabweans. The government of national unity is necessitated
by Mugabe-s political mediocrity. It-s a pact that has
to be entered into knowing fully well what Mugabe and ZANUPF are
capable of doing - swallowing an entire party and emasculate
the leaders by offering them positions of power that carry no influence.
This happened to ZAPU in 1986 with the top echelons being appointed
to vice president-s and ministerial posts, yet that diminished
the party. Members of other smaller opposition parties have been
'bought for a dong- and became enemies to their own
parties. We have had massive parades of those who 'turn back
to ZANU PF-, masquerading as patriotic party members, yet
what they would have received matters to them most. The majority
continues to suffer.
With the envisaged and
on going talks, one need to be sympathetic to Morgan Tsvangirai,
for any slight admittance to enter into a pact with Mugabe blindly
could be costly to the entire nation. Having sworn that MDC is a
puppet party of the British and the American, Mugabe can no barely
hide his political impotence and the diminishing influence both
in the region and internationally. In his obstinate heart, he realizes
that he can go nowhere without the MDC, thus he pretends to be the
gentleman that he is, to call for 'a new way of political
interaction-. This 'working together- might resuscitate
his ego and possibly enable him to bludgeon the opposition the way
he did Nkomo-s ZAPU.
New
democracy
Given that as it is, if the government of national unity is to be
the only viable project, as it seems, then it is only right here
to postulate on what we want for a better Zimbabwe. I stand to propose
common but neglected aspects of democracy to exist in Zimbabwe.
Firstly, sovereignty
belongs to the people who exercise it through their elected representatives
and the democratic organs established under the constitution.
This calls for respect of the constitution, which should be a sacrosanct
document governing all. A new constitution is called for, and this
should be a result of consultation with all stakeholders; opposition
parties, civil society, non-governmental organizations, religious
bodies etc. The principle objective of this political system of
the state is to establish an inclusionary democracy that provides
increasing opportunities for the participation of citizens and their
organizations in the formulation of an all binding constitution.
Legislature
A minister who is not elected member of the Assembly at the time
of his appointment shall be a member of the assembly by virtue of
holding the office of minister, but shall not vote in the assembly.
This applies to non constituent members of parliament and senators.
We already have those who are Mugabe-s sole appointees and
to let them vote is detrimental to democracy since their vote is
driven by loyalty to the hand that feeds them. They should, if allowed
to hold office, be non voting members in parliament.
Zimbabwe, with its small
population only needs one vice president and a few deputy ministers.
Most of the ministries function because of a competent Permanent
Secretaries, who should be appointed on merit of competence not
political affiliation. Most of the deputy ministers we have are
just but deadwood serving no purpose save political mileage for
Mugabe.
Judicature
All courts and all persons presiding over the courts shall exercise
their function independently of the control and direction of any
other person or authority, and shall be free from political, executive
and any other form of direction and control. The [Chancellor] Chief
Justice shall be appointed by the president acting after obtaining
the agreement of the Leader of the Opposition and the Judicial Commission
which should be an independent body. The judges, other than the
Chief Justice, shall be appointed by the president who shall act
in accordance with the advice of the Judicial Service Commission.
To attain such democratic
changes, we need the principles of pluralism to operate, ie, the
reality of several meaningful political parties representing different
ideologies. We need an autonomous judiciary that is not influenced
or intimidated to give judgements with inclination to rule in favour
of political heavyweights. Judicial impartiality is what we need
in the new Zimbabwe where the executive does not influence court
rulings, where the minister of state security is not a qausi-judge.
We also need an independent electoral commission that represents
all sectors of the population, rather than serving the interest
of one man who does not want to lose.
Leader
of the opposition
The Leader of the Opposition shall be elected from among the non
governmental members of the National Assembly at a meeting held
under the chairmanship of the Speaker of the Assembly. He/she is
either elected as aforementioned, or appointed by the opposition
party holding the majority of seats among the opposition parties
and independent members of parliament.
The office of the Leader
of opposition shall have the powers to nominate two persons to sit
on the Elections Commission, the Judiciary Commission, the Teaching
Service Commission, the Health Service Commission, the Police Commission,
the Human Rights Commission [among others].
The office of the Leader
of Opposition - he/she can be removed where one third of the
non governmental members of the Assembly represent to the Speaker
that the leader of the Opposition no longer enjoys their confidence.
The Speaker shall call a meeting of all the non governmental members
at which it shall be decided whether the Leader shall be removed
from office, and the removal shall be effected by the votes of a
majority of all non governmental members.
Conclusion
This is meant to be a background for the exercise of democracy,
and it stands to be challenged. I propose that elements in this
article be articulated and embraced in the new constitution that
is meant to lead us into a new and formal government, after not
more than two years of the power sharing government. Our definite
desire is establishing a balanced infrastructure of the economic
growth, social justice and economic justice. Good governance with
equality and respect for civic and political as well as economic,
social and economic rights are necessary for utmost and fast rebuilding
of a new Zimbabwe.
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