Zimbabwe's draft constitution costing $1000 per word

Zimbabwe's new constitution has cost a staggering $1,000 per word to draft and is not yet complete, legal watchdog Veritas said on Monday.

The total cost of drawing up the charter and holding a referendum will cost more.

Veritas said drafting the new constitution has already cost the country $40 million.

It said $5 million was needed to complete the draft and another $30 million to hold a referendum later this year.

As things stand, the cost is already $1,000 per word.

Veritas said Zanu-PF wants major changes to the draft, which will not be possible by the end of May, when the draft is due to be completed.

It is not clear whether Mugabe and his party will accept another delay.

After a disputed election in Zimbabwe, Mugabe was forced to sign a power-sharing deal with Movement for Democratic Change.

The 2008 deal compelled the two parties to draft a new constitution before fresh elections.

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