The Management Committee resolved some of the issues such as the Death penalty and these
were factored into the Draft Constitution. Still some disagreements continued to emerge. The
Management Committee then seized the momentum and went to Nyanga for a week in the
first week of July 2012. In the early hours of the 18th of July 2012, the Management
Committee agreed on the First COPAC Draft Constitution that was then submitted to the
political parties for their input. Whilst the MDC parties agreed with the Draft Constitution,
ZANU PF raised concerns as the party felt that the Draft Constitution did not capture what
the people had said. Specifically, ZANU PF was not happy with following, amongst others:
a) The lack of emphasis on the importance and significance of the Liberation struggle in
Zimbabwe.
b) The issue of dual citizenship.
c) No clear prohibition of homosexuality
d) The issue of Devolution
e) The whittling down of the Executive powers
f) The Attorney General versus the National Prosecuting Authority.
g) The issue of the Land Commission
h) The issue of the Running mate
Whilst the other MDC parties preferred the issues raised by ZANUPF to be addressed at the
second All Stakeholders Conference, ZANU PF preferred that the issues be addressed before
the Conference. Common ground was then reached that the Conference could look into the
issues to be raised by the stakeholders. Thus the 18 July 2012 Draft Constitution was taken to
the Conference.
6. Second All Stakeholders Conference
The Select Committee convened the Second All stakeholders Conference from the 21st to the
23rd of October 2012. The terms of reference for the Conference were as follows:
a) To receive the Report on the Constitution making process up to the time of the
Conference.
b) To receive the Draft Constitution from the Select Committee.
c) To receive comments and recommendations on the Draft Constitution from the
Stakeholders.
d) The Select Committee to take note of the comments and recommendations.
e) The Select Committee to compile a report for its own use.
49
The Constitution Select Committee (COPAC) Report to Parliament, February 2013
Select target paragraph3
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