COPAC suspends operations over dual-citizenship stalemate
http://www.thezimbabwemail.com
10/06/2011 14:32:00 Staff Reporter
HARARE – Zimbabwe constitution making body COPAC has suspended operations
after a deadlock was reached following fundamental differences over the
issue of dual citizenship between the MDC-T’s and the former ruling party
Zanu PF.
Zanu PF select committee co-chairperson, Paul Mangwana, who revealed to The
Zimbabwe Mail that data analysts will return to their provinces on Friday,
said the MDC-T is frustrating the process by always changing goal posts in
order to protect partisan selfish interests.
“Although the MDC-T is not clear on issues that they have problems with, the
party is advocating for the adoption of the dual citizenship clause with the
hope that the provision will work in favour of the party during the next
elections if people with dual citizenships are allowed to vote,” said
Mangwana.
He said it is disheartening that the MDC-T wants to equate popular views
with minority views by pushing for a data analyses template that ignores the
frequency on the issues that were raised by the people.
Mangwana said it is surprising that the MDC-T has brought back the issue
that was resolved last month.
He however said Zanu PF would want to see views of minority ethnic tribes
being captured in the country’s new constitution.
Mangwana said the issue has been referred to the management committee
comprising of negotiators who will look into the issue next week as they are
attending the SADC extra-ordinary summit that will commence this weekend in
South Africa.
Efforts to get the views of the MDC-T have been not been successful.
Data analyses to produce district and provincial reports will only be
conducted after the stalemate.