From Faith Zaba in Harare
THE MDC has dropped from its constitution a clause limiting the party president’s terms in office, thus extending Morgan Tsvangirai’s possible tenure to beyond 2011.
In what sources in the party said was an unconstitutional move, the MDC removed clause 6.1.3, which said the president shall serve for a maximum of two terms.
The sources said no amendment was brought before the party’s last congress in 2006 to remove the limit.
Also missing from the constitution is clause 6.2.2, which also limited the terms of the vice-presidents.
According to the MDC constitution, any amendment to the constitution requires approval by at least two-thirds of delegates present and voting at congress.
Our correspondent is in possession of the two versions of the constitution, the 2000 one and the other printed in May this year, which is being distributed to party organs.
According to the 2000 constitution, Tsvangirai was supposed to step down in 2011, paving way for his successor to take over.
What the new amendment means is that Tsvangirai will decide when he wants to step down.
Constitutional lawyer, who was co-author of the 2000 MDC constitution, and a close MDC ally, Lovemore Madhuku, said Tsvangirai would remain in office until he chooses to step down.
“There is no chance of Morgan Tsvangirai being replaced in the MDC unless he steps down. Don’t expect anyone in the MDC to challenge him,” Madhuku said.
“The MDC will not have a change of leadership any time soon. We will have no leadership change in Zanu PF and no leadership change in MDC, but might have a scenario of disillusioned members from both forming their own party.”
While Madhuku was criticised for extending his term as chairperson of the National Constitutional Assembly by amending the assembly’s constitution, he said at least it was done before their congress not like what happened in the MDC which never brought it before the people.
An MDC top official, who preferred not to be named, confirmed that the amendment was not brought before the 2006 congress.
He said some people proposed at an executive council meeting before the congress that the clause be brought before the people for amendment but Tsvangirai said it should be left as is.
“Tsvangirai didn’t want to come out as if he is trying to hold on to power. Bringing it before the congress would have raised a lot of debate and they were worried that it might attract negative debate,” the official said. “However, the president now no longer has terms. It was not amended by the congress. This is complete thuggery. There is a current constitution which they are distributing and that clause was simply left out. It was simply chopped off — it was a matter of ‘highlighting, copying and deleting’ the clause. Unless you have a copy of the 2000 constitution with the clause 6.1.3 stating that the president shall serve for a maximum two terms, it’s as if it never existed.”
The sources alleged that MDC secretary general Tendai Biti printed the current constitution “under duress”.
Biti and party spokesperson Nelson Chamisa could not be reached for comment last night as they were out of the country on government business.
The MDC has been hit by reports of infighting with some alleging that Biti is trying to upstage Tsvangirai.
The source said Biti and his people want Tsvangirai to take them into government first and then take over from him as head of a party in power.
The sources said a recent document on the party’s positions on the constitution-making was also doctored after a pro-Tsvangirai camp in the MDC executive rejected a proposal by Biti that the state president should be elected by parliament. This, the sources said, was changed to say the state president should be in office through popular vote.
The document was circulated to MDC MPs a fortnight ago who fumed and questioned who the author was because they were not consulted to make their submissions.
While Chamisa admitted to an online publication recently that the president’s term was no longer limited, he seemed to contradict himself.
He said the constitution speaks of two-five-year terms without necessarily speaking of limiting people in terms of their offices.
“We insist that the terms of office in the party are supposed to be five years, then you go back to elections. But in terms of government, we have said those who should serve government, they should serve a maximum of two terms,” Chamisa was quoted as saying. “Meaning to say that if someone gets into office as president, like President Tsvangirai, he will serve a maximum of two five year-terms each to have the 10 years as president. It’s the same thing for all cadres. That is the position that is clear in the constitution of the MDC.”
At the second MDC congress in 2006, Tsvangirai promised to hand over power once Zimbabwe was restored to full democracy.
“It has never been my intention to hold on to power after the people liberated themselves from this dictatorship. My contract with the people does not extend beyond a certain time-frame,” said Tsvangirai. “A new Zimbabwe, a new beginning has no room for life presidents. My wish is to execute our mandate in an honest and vigorous manner: preside over a transition to full democracy and pass on the baton to another Zimbabwean. I believe there must be an exciting life for a pensioner — whether that pensioner is a peasant, former factory cleaner or a former president. I pledge to honour my word.”
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- The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. ZimDiaspora is not responsible for what they say. Please keep your comments short and sweet. Obscene, tribalistic, racist, vulgar comments will be deleted.
written by BOBO, October 09, 2009
written by Pius, October 09, 2009
written by Myekeleni Manzini, October 09, 2009
Why can't people be given chance to decide what they want. Why are we told what to do. Variety is the spice of life. We have people out there who can do better than Tsvangirai. Let us give them chance.
written by Ryton Dzimiri, October 09, 2009
Think about the south and how respected and short the leaders are. Think about the gnashing of teeth in the north and think about the wealth and health and prosperity in the south. Think about the pompority in the north and humility in the south. IF I AM LYING TELL ME TO SHUT UP. But if l its true, remember Tsvangirai is same northern seed and so are his genes. He knows what is healthy for the country but also he wants a title for himself. ITS HARD TO LET GO.
written by Nswabanda, October 09, 2009
You are lying, shut -up! The south you refer to is only south Africa, but still they elected a dubious leader, who sleeps around despite having 5 wives, he eascaped a corruption trial through a technicality! So what are you saying? Is that exemplary? Tsvangirai's mandate was extended by the MDC people. He did not extend it for himself! They see his leadership qualities! What MDC say is that when in power, they will limit the presidential term, not the party terms! ZAPU was lead by JMN for ages coz they repected his ability to lead! Nothing wrong with that!
As for Myekeleni Manzini, you just criticise for the sake of it, you dont have facts! Its not a question of individuals doing better than others! No! Its a collective effort my brother! Who are those nameless people anywhere? O Ralph Mguni and Ryton Dzimiri?
written by Ryton Dzimiri, October 09, 2009
Every comment after this one will show you which side of africa ones mentality is adapted to.
Reasons like that are what drove me to take the Zapu mentality although I am originaly a northener of the Mbire dynasty.
I AM WILLING TO ACCEPT MY TRADITIONAL EFFECTS AND EMBRACE PROVEN INNOVATIVE METHODS THAT WORK
written by Chidyausiku, October 09, 2009
Ndozvakauraya nyika kuti munhu anogara pachigaro as if iye ega ndiye anogona kutonga.
Tsvangirai kungorohwa nemapurisa kaviri katatu akuda kutonga nyika kusvika afa. Madhodhi chaiwo.
Lets wait and see may be ZAPU will set an example handiti congres yavo iri kuuya next year.
Inindakagara ndazviona kuti MDC haina maturo, ndekmwe kaZANU kachatipinza muna taisireva. Inga vakuru vanotaura kuti rinamanyanga hari putirwi, hezvo ka.
written by Ryton Dzimiri, October 09, 2009
Another Mugabe is no solution for Zimbabwe.
written by Zifiso, October 09, 2009
written by Ryton Dzimiri, October 09, 2009
Have you heard of a country called Mozambique where Northern minded Zimbabweans flood the boarder scrounging for fortune? what about Botswana? What about Namibia?those are southern african natives. They think southern and l am a northerner.
The kind of life style l would offer Zimbabweans if l were to rule would not be different from Libia, somalia,tanzania,zimbabwe,DRC, Angola,rwanda.
Democracy is not easy to achieve, it takes cultural renovation. UNLESS YOU LEARN TO ADAPT TO THE DIFFICULT SACRIFICES IT DEMANDS, YOU WILL ACHIEVE HALF BAKED DEMOCRACY THE MODEL OF ZANU.
written by Ntabeni, October 09, 2009
ZANU and MDC are bound to fail in future because of porous constitutions and dictators at the top.
written by masotsha, October 09, 2009
written by jabu, October 09, 2009
written by Maidei, October 09, 2009
''ndizozo bana bebvu'' LOL!! ndokutii ikoko?
I do not agree with constitutional changes to perpetuate individual rule. Whether its Mugabe, Joshua Nkomo, Ndabaningi Sithole, Abel Muzorewa, Ian Smith, Morgan Tsvangirai et al LEADERS FOR LIFE. I so so detest this. we cant talk of other fringe, small and perhaps irrelevant parties because they are not ant different.
written by Shine, October 09, 2009
written by Nswintila, October 09, 2009
written by Myekeleni Manzini, October 09, 2009
I do not want to believe that Nwsabanda is suggesting that Tsvangirai is the only candidate who knows what he is doing and the rest are simple followers. The party must be bigger than members for it will alway be there long after Tsvangirai has gone.
written by Ruvarashe, October 09, 2009
written by mokoena, October 09, 2009
written by Mweni Tafara, October 10, 2009
written by maidei, October 10, 2009
written by RYTON DZIMIRI, October 10, 2009
written by mamoyo wekwa Bulawayo, October 10, 2009
written by kingkong3, October 10, 2009
i mean Tsvangirai sacrificed almost everything for a more democratic Zim, imagine after being beaten, arrested, almost murdered numerous times, losing your wife, only to watch someone else lead change that you fought for and sacrificed everything for. maybe he just wants the transition and then he quits like nelson mandela. then he could become another african statesman
God help us all
written by mzilasela, October 11, 2009
written by Last Chaos Gold, October 11, 2009
written by Mduduzi, October 12, 2009
Lets stop hero worshiping
written by Nintalan, October 12, 2009
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