SMS feedback – Zimbabweans’ top issues for the Constitution
In an effort to share the Chicken to Change video more widely, and to gather feedback on what issues Zimbabweans want addressed in the current Constitution making process, we sent the following text message yesterday:
Kubatana! Get video of Chicken to Change by SA band Freshlyground. Text yr postal addr & top issue for Constitution by noon 16 Sept. First 100 replies will win.
We have been flooded by responses, with issues ranging from Presidential powers and term of office to the reform of the security sector and resolution of the land issue.
Here are some of the first responses:
- Age and term of office of president
- Decentralisation of government
- Systems of government
- Top issue is abt dual citizenship
- Affordable health and education for all
- Devolution of power, land and unitary gvt
- Checks and balances in the presidium. Separation of power should be clearly defined and everyone subject to it. Independent electoral body must be appointed. We must amend the running of the elections
- Presidential Term
- Presidential term should be 2 years
- Diaspora vote
- Top issue: How the constitution can be protected from violation by executive and service chiefs and generals
- Arms of the state
- The President’s terms of office
- Appointment of electoral commission
- We need to know the definition of a hero, and who decides the status of a hero – national, provincial or district etc. Zanu PF (Politburo) should not do that alone. Men should be granted maternity leave to monitor their pregnant woman even if the woman is not employed
- Dual citizenship must be allowed and coloureds need to be recognised as indigenous.
- Executive authority to cabinet. 2 natural and gvt resources, eg. land, human not for political milage
- Elections
- The top issue is about the 99 year lease
- Top Issue 4 Constutition – Powers of the President
- Human rights and total democracy
- Constitution top issue: Use of 99 year lease agrm or title deeds on land ownership. We prefer title deeds
- Presidential tenure and presidential powers.
- Presidential age and term of office.
- It’s about how to issue the new Constitution in favour of public, not ruling government
- No to executive powers to the president.
- Arms of State – Executive
- Registrar General
- 2 x 5 year term limit for President. Executive power share between Pres and PM. Dvld state. No capital punishment. Rt to personal preferences
- Top issue for constitution is the president’s term of office
- Devolution of power
- Presidential age limit. Minimum 40 max 65. Two terms only
- Terms of office for president and age limit. President to be answerable to senate / parliament. No one is above the law of the land.
- Lots of harassment by those who claim to be the ruling party but have already lost the support. No transparency in this programme
- Gay and lesbian rights.
- Right of freedom of expression.
- AG, RBZ Governor and all service chiefs should be elected in Parliament then sworn in by President.
- Reduce Presidential Powers
- Separation of powers
- Land issue
- Appointment of electoral commission
- Gay issue
- We want free and fair monitored elections in the constitution please especially in presidential terms!
- What was collected by copac is what should be in the constitution
- Term of office president
- Many meetings were disturbed by Zanu PF thugs e.g. in Amaveni Ward 9
- Constitutionalisation of local authorities in Zimbabwe
- President must have 2 x 5 year term of office
- I want democracy to be brought back so that we may be able to exercise our rights and to express our feelings without fear
- Redistribution of land
- Gender equality and women empowerment
- Press Freedom
- President should rule for two terms and hand over to the other.
- Decetralisation of govt
- Top issue is the right of gays to be allowed to marry people of the same sex.
- Presidential powers