NCA calls for COPAC to be disbanded

The National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) has called for the disbanding of the Constitutional Parliamentary Committee (COPAC) to pave way for an independent commission to lead a fresh and genuine constitution making process.

Speaking at a media round table at the Quill Club in Harare NCA Chairman Dr. Lovemore Madhuku said “COPAC must be disbanded because it is not going anyway. We need a fresh process that is not led by politicians, but by an independent commission.’’ 

The NCA in conjunction with the Quill Club organized the roundtable event that was attended by journalists, activists and diplomats. ‘From day one, it became evident that this process was not people driven, our appeal now to our leaders is that they should reengage the broader society, churches, students, and the workers’ Madhuku went on.

The NCA leader lambasted the MDC for putting the blame to ZANU PF for the violence that occurred during the Harare outreach meetings saying ‘such allegations are nonsense since these two parties have now found comfort with each other. Both parties have been denying allegations of violence during the outreach meetings and now for the MDC-T to complain that ZANU PF is perpetrating violence is nonsense.’

Madhuku predicted an escalation of violence and more loss of lives in the COPAC process. He took a swipe at some donor organisations who are deliberately denying the NCA resources. He singled out Zimbabweans working for donor organisations, some of whom are making funding decisions calculated on their own personal political ambitions.

“We are aware that a majority of Zimbabweans working for this organisation are harbouring political ambitions and have a vendetta against the NCA hence they are deliberately denying the NCA resources.” However, he said that the NCA has managed to survive under harsh conditions and saluted the membership for keeping the organisation afloat by buying membership cards and personal donations.

Madhuku said that the NCA will continue mobilising the grassroots and campaign for a NO VOTE in the event that a referendum is called. ‘We, together with ZCTU, ZINASU and other progressive Zimbabweans will vigorously campaign for a NO VOTE under the Take Charge campaign in the referendum to send a clear message to the politicians of this land that they should not take Zimbabweans for granted,’ he added.