Error In Column

I WISH to draw your attention to an error in Gwynne Dyer’s column on your website.He erroneously argues that Zimbabwe’s draft constitution contained clauses intended to effect a one-party state (“and thereby assure [Mugabe] the presidency for life).

This is an inaccurate observation, for the draft constitution contained no proscription on multi-party politics. In fact, it attempted to water down deep opposition to the executive presidency by introducing a Prime Minister, but opponents still felt the president’s powers had not diminished to any significant degree.The drive for a one-party state was in the late 1980s after the Unity Accord was signed between Zanu PF and PF Zapu, and although Zanu PF remained the dominant party, it did not succeed in establishing a de jure one-party state.The draft constitution of 2000 was in fact an improvement on the current Lancaster House-drafted constitution, which has been amended more than 16 times by the ruling party to arrogate more power to the executive presidency.The ruling party has presented yet another constitutional amendment Bill before parliament as I write to introduce a Senate.Dyer is right that Mugabe’s government adopted more repressive measures against the people when they lost the constitutional referendum.However, the reasons for people voting against the draft constitution in 2000 are not as Dyer claims.Please refer to the debate on the draft constitution for verification of these facts.Chofamba Sithole UKIn fact, it attempted to water down deep opposition to the executive presidency by introducing a Prime Minister, but opponents still felt the president’s powers had not diminished to any significant degree.The drive for a one-party state was in the late 1980s after the Unity Accord was signed between Zanu PF and PF Zapu, and although Zanu PF remained the dominant party, it did not succeed in establishing a de jure one-party state.The draft constitution of 2000 was in fact an improvement on the current Lancaster House-drafted constitution, which has been amended more than 16 times by the ruling party to arrogate more power to the executive presidency.The ruling party has presented yet another constitutional amendment Bill before parliament as I write to introduce a Senate.Dyer is right that Mugabe’s government adopted more repressive measures against the people when they lost the constitutional referendum.However, the reasons for people voting against the draft constitution in 2000 are not as Dyer claims.Please refer to the debate on the draft constitution for verification of these facts.Chofamba Sithole UK