Civic groups at loggerheads over constitution

By Tichaona Sibanda
19 September 2005

Civic society groups in the country have been urged to find a common consensus on who should lead the process to push for a new and democratic constitution.

Daniel Molokela, a lawyer and an activist based in Johannesburg, warned that differences over who should lead the process could tear the civic groups apart if not handled well.

He said despite the country having the biggest and most sophisticated civic society grouping in Africa, there was a danger that the issue regarding the power process could derail the push for a new constitution to the advantage of the ruling regime.

Civic society groups met at the weekend in Harare to plot ways for a new constitution for the country but failed to agree on the way forward amid serious disagreements on who should lead the process.

The conference dubbed, ‘Deciding Zimbabwe’s Destiny, a new constitution for all, by all – Now!’ degenerated into bickering after the NCA claimed to have the mandate to lead the constitutional reform exercise.