ZANU PF infuriated by SA Foreign Affairs Minister

http://www.swradioafrica.com

By Tichaona Sibanda
06 March 2012

South Africa’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, drew fire 
from ZANU PF officials after suggesting elections in Zimbabwe can only be 
held after the finalisation of the constitution-making process.

In a reply to a parliamentary question about delays in the drafting of a new 
constitution, Nkoana-Mashabane said Pretoria expects the power-sharing 
agreement to be fully in place, with a new constitution approved by 
referendum, before new elections.

‘A committee is drafting a new constitution, after which a referendum and 
then elections should be held. Our government therefore expects that there 
would be no deviation from the provisions of the GPA,’ she added.

The comments provoked a rapid and angry response from the former ruling 
party. Didymus Mutasa, ZANU PF Secretary for Administration and a top Mugabe 
ally said their leader will pronounce an election date with or without a new 
constitution. Politburo member Jonathan Moyo told the South African Foreign 
Minister to ‘shut up’.

‘This woman as an official of the South African government has no business 
whatsoever commenting on this thing. Zimbabwe has never been a province of 
South Africa, is not a province of South Africa and will never be a province 
of South Africa,’ Moyo added.

A leading pro-democracy activist Dewa Mavhinga said he does not believe 
South Africa will be concerned by the barking from senior officials within 
ZANU PF.

‘It’s not anything new. It’s a sign of serious desperation at the shifting 
sands of policy on the part of ANC which has seen a total rejection of 
unreasonable calls by ZANU PF for an election,’ Mavhinga said.
On Mutasa’s statement that Mugabe can unilaterally call for an election with 
or without a constitution, Mavhinga retorted: ‘Such madness may actually be 
pronounced but it will not make a difference, it will not carry the day.’
He continued: ‘Remember South Africa is not there on its own but is 
representing the weight of SADC and the regional bloc is fully behind 
President Jacob Zuma and his team.’

On Monday co-chairman of COPAC, Douglas Mwonzora, said Zimbabwe will have a 
fully completed draft constitution next month and a referendum in August or 
September.

The MDC-T MP for Nyanga North and party spokesman said that a technical team 
that was revising all chapters of the new constitution completed their work 
in Bulawayo. The new charter has 18 chapters.

On Friday COPAC will invite the drafters to look at the revised work. The 
three principal constitution-drafters are former High Court judge Justice 
Moses Chinhengo, Priscilla Madzonga and Brian Crozier.