COPAC teams begin working on new constitution

The formal process of compiling data collected from the constitutional outreach program started last week with over 70 technicians and 210 rapporteurs gathering in Harare for the two week exercise. The Parliamentary Select Committee (COPAC) has set September 30 as the date to hold a referendum to choose a new constitution for Zimbabwe.

2011 could therefore be a year with two voting moments as the talks of possible elections still continue. In case of elections the former MDC-M will be leaded by Welshman Ncube who was elected the new leader at the MDC-M congress. In his end of year speech Prime Minister Tsvangirai called for the implementation of the GPA and for a free, fair and peaceful election.

Meanwhile the ‘Friends of Zimbabwe’, a group of likeminded donors working in Zimbabwe, called upon the Zimbabwean government to ensure a credible vote should elections take place in 2011, whereby the will of the people will be accepted.

Ignatius Chombo, the mega-rich local government minister who is under fire over alleged improper acquisition of vast municipal land and properties around the country, has fired and suspended councillors investigating him for suspected land grab scams.