Mugabe signs Constitutional amendment bill into law

By Violet Gonda
12 September 2005

Described by some critics as "the mother" of all draconian legislation, the controversial Constitutional Amendment Bill was signed into law by Robert Mugabe last Friday.

Last month, ZANU PF steamrolled the repressive bill through parliament despite serious objections from the MDC. The Act has also been described as the greatest challenge yet to Zimbabweans' liberties by human rights and civic groups.

MDC Parliamentary Spokesman for Legal Affairs Secretary David Coltart said the timing of the signing of the bill is significant because it is clear that Mugabe was waiting until the IMF reprieve was granted.

He said, "I think they feared that if they signed this into law before last Friday's IMF board meeting that might be the straw that broke the camel's back and might be the thing that leads to Zimbabwe's expulsion."

Coltart believes that the signing of the bill is a slap in the face on both the IMF and leaders like Thabo Mbeki who are pleading for laws that will improve the economy.

The legislation seeks to reintroduce the controversial Senate. State radio reported on Monday that Mugabe told a meeting of Zimbabwe students studying in Cuba that he wanted elections for the 50 contested senatorial seats to be held before the end of the year. The MDC executive is meeting Friday to decide on whether to participate or not.

Coltart said it is not certain yet what the MDC is going to do as there are equally strong arguments for and against participation. He said the major argument against is that the MDC is disapproving of the process and that Zimbabwe will have to fork out billions of dollars when it can't even afford food. On the other hand, the spokesman said the MDC may participate so as to remain visible and not yield ground to ZANU PF in opposition strongholds.

Critics believe that the amendments combine to form the greatest assaults on our human rights since independence in 1980. The other areas of concern are that the government can decide to take any land it wants, removing the right of Zimbabweans to challenge the acquisition in court. This effectively takes away the powers of the courts to decide on the fairness to acquisition of property.

The amendments also give the government the power to confiscate passports from its critics who travel abroad. There are serious concerns that this will give the government the excuse to take passports from individuals deemed to be engaging in activities that it will claim "jeopardise national interest."

The Standard newspaper reported recently that the Mugabe regime is drawing up a list of senior opposition politicians and human rights activists who will be banned from travelling abroad.

David Coltart said anyone who has their name on that list should consider it as a badge of honour as it is the price to pay for bringing democracy to the country.