Zim constitution body feels the heat, allows Mugabe to contest

Zimbabwe's constitution making body, Copac, says it has reviewed and rectified clauses in the proposed draft constitution which had caused a heated debate within political circles after some sections of the private media gave inaccurate facts on the eligibility of the current President to contest in the forthcoming Presidential elections.

Copac, which was in Vumba a few days ago, says it has completed reviewing chapter five and six of the draft constitution and has rectified the qualification clause which states that a Presidential candidate should be above 40 years, a Zimbabwean citizen and will serve two-five year terms.

Copac co-chairperson, Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana says the clause that had caused a stir was the invention of the drafters and they have rectified the qualification clause so that the current President, Robert Mugabe will not be affected in the forth coming elections.

"The qualification clause which comprise of the Presidential powers had been tempered around by the drafters but we are happy to say that all has been corrected and we can safely say that the current President is not going to be affected," said Mangwana.

Mangwana said they have made significant progress in reviewing other clauses of the draft constitution and they are hoping that in the next eight days they would have completed the reviewing process.

He also pointed out that the next stage of the constitution making process which is the All Stakeholders’ Conference might be held around the 2nd week of March.

The draft constitution is being reviewed by a team of technical experts and the Constitution Select Committee has reassured the nation that their views are still being taken into consideration.

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