Matabeleland South- The number of participants in the constitutional outreach meetings showed an increase on the first day of the meetings after a week long break. Sources in most of the areas said that the meetings had a higher attendance in comparison with the first meetings which were held in the area. In the Insiza district, areas such as Mbondweni had a generally good attendance with participants estimated to be close to 228 while Silalatshani had close to 400 people. Sources in the area said that people were generally free to articulate out their views and in most of the areas women made the larger number of the participants. In Singwango II for example there were 77 women and 29 men, while the attendance by the youth was generally very low. Sources said that women spoke freely, which was a unique case in most areas with some very vocal on issues that affected them. Women voiced their opinions on special parliamentary seats for women and they also raised concerns about women chiefs and the general role of traditional leaders. The sources also highlighted that despite the attendance of known political leaders from the three political parties the participants freely participated. In Silalatshani sources attributed the good attendance to political leaders in the area who had encouraged their supporters to attend the meetings after noting the failure by the District Administrators office to announce the dates of the meetings effectively.
Matabeleland North- The constitution outreach meetings have been set to start today in the province after the outreach teams convened for a meeting yesterday. Sources in the province said that despite some meetings having been held in other provinces, Matabeleland North meetings will begin today in most areas.
Mashonaland West- Meetings in Mashonaland West province began yesterday after a week long break. Sources in the province said that the meetings started well despite reports that in one of the areas a participant is alleged to have chanted a ZANU PF slogan. The sources said that the participant was sent away from the meeting. Some of the issues that were raised in the meetings were a hybrid electoral system, while most of the participants called for a unitary governance system.
Midlands- The Midlands Constitutional outreach meetings kicked off yesterday after a week of rest to allow Members of Parliament to attend the opening of Parliament. Most members of the teams, including MPs returned to their stations on Sunday evening to prepare for yesterdays meetings. The teams however are still facing problems relating to their welfare as one of the hotels that should be accommodating the teams is still not providing them with meals. Allegations are that COPAC is not paying service providers in cash and hence they will not provide meals. Arrangements were made yesterday to move some members of the provincial teams to another hotel in Kwekwe. They shall then commute to Gweru every day to join their colleagues. Meetings were held in different wards of Shurugwi, a predominantly urban mining town, yesterday. The attendance was generally low averaging just below 100 people. Sources in Shurugwi, said there were mixed feelings from participants on many of the issues raised. They said that the participants opinion was almost equally divided between those who want a hybrid system (Direct election of the president and proportional representation at parliamentary level) and those for the unitary system.
Manicaland- The outreach process started yesterday in Makoni North. The first meeting in Dangamvura had no participants as people were misinformed about the meeting while some of them were intimidated by war veterans who have continued to instil fear among the people of Manicaland. It is said that some people were transported from one meeting to the other so that they could cause chaos and havoc. The MDC Councillor for Ward 17, Chikanga was allegedly assaulted while the Ward 3, Senator Chitata was also manhandled by war veterans. Issues that were being raised by the Manicaland people include the endorsement of the land reform, war veterans to be inclusion in the constitution and civil servants affiliation to the civil service. In ward 19, most people called for the constitutionalisation of local government so that the city council could be accountable for the development of the area. In most meetings, there were more women than men while youth attendance was very low.
Bulawayo Agenda is a civil society organisation that conducts advocacy on issues of democracy. It is committed to providing an apolitical platform for people to express their views and debate on matters that affect their lives. It has active chapters in Gweru, Gwanda, Plumtree, Victoria Falls, Matopo, Hwange, Binga, Nkayi, Lupane and Tsholotsho.
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