Constitution SMS | Letters - TheZimbabwean.co.uk

Written by The Zimbabwean

Friday, 05 February 2010 13:06

What do you want to be included in Zimbabwe’s new constitution?

As a community service to complement the constitution making process, The Zimbabwean on Sunday is pleased to offer space in every issue to enable the people to have their say about this vital document that will become the foundation of the new Zimbabwe.
Please SMS your views to +263 913 245 709 – and we will publish as many as possible in the coming weeks.
1. The new constitution must guarantee the freedom of association, including every citizen’s right to support a political party of their choice. The constitution must also guarantee the freedom of expression and must have clauses underpinning the rule of law. -- Anonymous.

2. The president and his/her cabinet should serve a maximum of two years in office. The police should be confined to protecting property and society instead of wasting time harassing and chasing after street vendors trying to earn an honest living. Anonymous, Harare.

3. Selection of a deputy president(s) should be based on merit alone and not on the basis of one’s tribal or ethnic group. Saprene.

4. (a) Commercial farms should be allocated to any citizen who has the skills to farm and is dedicated to the job. Race or skin colour should not be a criterion to determine who gets land. We must strictly adhere to the policy of ONE MAN ONE FARM.
(b) Service chiefs must be apolitical and they should be appointed for a maximum of three years or less. Any reappointment after the maximum period should be made in consultation with Parliament. Anonymous.

5. The ZBC and Herald as state media have a role to play in constitutional reform. We need to hear balanced and well-researched stories highlighting why we need a new constitution. They should explain the defects of the current Constitution instead of continuing to parrot the now ineffective propaganda meant to protect the old order. Nomore Jingles Rusape.

6. We need to overhaul the system of governance. The new constitution must guard against centralisation of power in the hands of one individual. -- Anonymous.

1. Zanu (PF) are bereft of ideas or strategy to take this country forward. May I ask the MDC to simply ignore them and go ahead to do what is good for the country. How can Zanu (PF) congress and politburo instruct the party’s negotiators to cause deadlock in talks as if they do not know the implications of such a move.
They are sending wrong the signals about Zimbabwe to foreign investors and the rest of the international community. They destroyed the agriculture and the economy now they determined to discourage the international community from helping Zimbabwe recover.
The MDC must hang on and not allow Zanu (PF) free rein. It may be difficult but they (MDC) won the elections so they deserve to be in power. To the press and the rest of Zimbabweans I say monitor and expose disruptions to the constitution making process. Zanu (PF) must be stopped at all costs. Anonymous.

2. Zimbabwe is slowly sliding back to chaos and it is high time the United Nations and international bodies to nip in the bud any attempts to reverse the progress that we have made so far in achieving peace and hope for economic recovery. We do not want another June 27 experience. AA, Harare.

3. We, Zimbabweans are too quick to adapt to even the most unbearable things. How many months have gone by since the government allowed use of foreign currency and yet we are still struggling to get change when we pay for goods and services.
But we have somehow become accustomed to it and we seem content with the vouchers, credit notes, and tickets that we get in place for change. Mr Biti (Tendai, Finance Minister), can you explain to us why you are not taking measures to end the change woes. -- Sara. Murehwa North.

4. What happened to STERP, that was launched amid so much pomp and fanfare and now everyone is silent about the programme, or could it be people are so preoccupied with the failing talks that other things have to be put on hold. I want to know. Anonymous.

5. Thank you for a great paper. -- Mazarura Highfield.

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