…as ZHOCD calls for active citizen participation in constitutional matters
Ruvarashe Chichera
MASVINGO – Zimbabwe Heads of
Christian Denominations(ZHOCD), which consists of Zimbabwe Council of Churches
(ZCC), Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace for Zimbabwe (CCJP),
Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe (EFZ), Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference
(ZCBC) and UDACIZA gathered at St Peters’ and Paul Cathedral to increase
awareness on the amendments that government wants to effect on the
Constitution.
Christian Denominations(ZHOCD), which consists of Zimbabwe Council of Churches
(ZCC), Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace for Zimbabwe (CCJP),
Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe (EFZ), Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference
(ZCBC) and UDACIZA gathered at St Peters’ and Paul Cathedral to increase
awareness on the amendments that government wants to effect on the
Constitution.
Several
stakeholders including representatives from the police, army, prison services
and various Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) participated in the interactive
proceedings.
stakeholders including representatives from the police, army, prison services
and various Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) participated in the interactive
proceedings.
CCJPZ
national director, Paul Muchena said it was critical for civic to be actively
involved in civic issues that impact the nation.
national director, Paul Muchena said it was critical for civic to be actively
involved in civic issues that impact the nation.
“It
is pivotal that citizens of this country take part in these kinds of
discussions. The Constitution is the supreme law of the land and whatever
citizens and their leaders decide to do with it must be in the open. We therefore
appreciate this collective effort by ZHOCD to create this platform,” Muchena
said.
is pivotal that citizens of this country take part in these kinds of
discussions. The Constitution is the supreme law of the land and whatever
citizens and their leaders decide to do with it must be in the open. We therefore
appreciate this collective effort by ZHOCD to create this platform,” Muchena
said.
People
were put in seven groups of youths, religious leaders, CSOs to discuss various
aspects of the proposed amendments and make presentations to the whole
gathering.
were put in seven groups of youths, religious leaders, CSOs to discuss various
aspects of the proposed amendments and make presentations to the whole
gathering.
From
the proceedings, it became clear that many people opposed almost all the
proposed amendments, with others saying the changes would reverse democratic
gains and entrench too much power in the President.
the proceedings, it became clear that many people opposed almost all the
proposed amendments, with others saying the changes would reverse democratic
gains and entrench too much power in the President.
The
youths suggested that it was imperative for government to advance the national
interest by implementing all provisions of the Constitution, rather than make wholesale
amendments only a mere seven years after the document was adopted.
youths suggested that it was imperative for government to advance the national
interest by implementing all provisions of the Constitution, rather than make wholesale
amendments only a mere seven years after the document was adopted.
“As
the youth we are not convinced why there is need to amend the constitution. We
need power and rights of full representation of young people in parliament. As
the youth we also deserve the chance to campaign for political office and not
wait for appointments. As for amending the term “removal of President”, if the
government really feels it’s a matter that deserves attention, they should
actually add similar translations of the term in Shona and Ndebele because if a
President is doing his job properly, he will not be removed,” said a youth representative.
the youth we are not convinced why there is need to amend the constitution. We
need power and rights of full representation of young people in parliament. As
the youth we also deserve the chance to campaign for political office and not
wait for appointments. As for amending the term “removal of President”, if the
government really feels it’s a matter that deserves attention, they should
actually add similar translations of the term in Shona and Ndebele because if a
President is doing his job properly, he will not be removed,” said a youth representative.
Other
groups criticise plans to remove the running mate clause, saying such a move
would reverse attempts to democratise the vice presidency.
groups criticise plans to remove the running mate clause, saying such a move
would reverse attempts to democratise the vice presidency.
They
said it was not proper to amend the Constitution when it has not yet been fully
implemented.
said it was not proper to amend the Constitution when it has not yet been fully
implemented.
