Parliamentary Committee work on new constitution

The Zimbabwe Telegraph
By Getrude Gumede
23 June 2009

ZIMBABWE-HARARE-The Parliamentary Select Committee on the new Zimbabwean constitution will today begin a tour of the country’s provinces as work towards crafting a new constitution for the country begins, The Zimbabwe Telegraph reports.
The co-chairperson of the select committee, Senator David Coltart said the provincial consultative meetings were preliminary meetings which would not discuss the substance of the constitution, but would be used to identify individuals and organisations interested in taking part in the process.
The individuals and interest groups would then be invited for a stakeholders conference which will be held by mid July in accordance with dictates from the Global Political Agreement, signed between the country’s three main political parties in September last year.
“The meetings are meant to advise institutions and individuals who are interested in the constitution making process to identify themselves so that they can be invited to a stakeholders conference in July,” said Coltart.
“It is meant to ensure that the process is as inclusive as possible, and we invite individuals and special interest groups such as human rights activists, children and women organisations, disabled people, churches and other groups to be involved.”
The select committee was appointed by the Standing Rules and Orders Committee to facilitate the writing of a new Constitution.
Article six of the GPA mandates the committee to ensure a democratic, inclusive and people-driven constitution making process.
According to a statement from the select committee, five provincial consultative meetings will be held today from 10am in Harare, Mashonaland West, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland Central and Manicaland provinces.
“Political party regalia and slogans will not be allowed in the meetings,” read the statement.