Alert - BPRA Holds meetings on Constitution

Residents following proceedings at one of the meetings on the
constitution on Saturday 13 October 2012

BULAWAYO PROGRESSIVE RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION (BPRA) has launched meetings designed to take the draft constitution to the residents of Bulawayo and give them a platform to express their views on the contents of the document. The meetings, which are being addressed by Members of Parliament (MPS) and Civil Society Organisation (CSO) representatives, are aimed at ensuring that the residents of Bulawayo get an understanding of what is contained in the COPAC draft constitution and make informed choices when the referendum is held. The meetings also aim at harnessing the views of residents so that they can be espoused on their behalf by CSOs and other stakeholders at the second all stakeholders’ conference that is imminent. The meetings are in line with BPRA’s belief that there should always be widespread consultation of residents in the development of policies that affect their livelihoods to ensure that policies match the wishes of the people.

The first batch of meetings held under this series were held this past weekend (13 and 14 October 2012) in Njube (ward 14), Luveve (ward 15), Pumula (ward 19) and Emakhandeni (ward 11). Members of Parliament Honourables Samuel Sipepa-Nkomo, Reggie Moyo and Albert Mhlanga attended the meetings to address residents on the constitution making process and the contents of the draft constitution.  Also present were CSO leaders including Mr Effie Ncube of Matabeleland Constitutional Reform Agenda (MACRA), Ms Anastasia Moyo of the Centre for Women’s Action and Rev Useni Sibanda of the Christian Alliance. One recurrent issue raised by residents was on the need for devolution of power to be enshrined in the final constitution to ensure that all regions in Zimbabwe gain control of their development projects and develop equitably. Residents also expressed fears that the ZANU PF constitution which essentially seeks to reverse democratic strides in the constitution would also be tabled at the second all stakeholders’ conference. They were however assured that according to COPAC, only the COPAC draft will be discussed at the conference.

Note: BPRA will be continuing with the meetings on the constitution until the referendum is held. Timely updates on those meetings will be provided.

Regards

Information Department

Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association

Bus. Tel: +263 9 61196

Cell: +263 772 516 729

Website: www.bulawayoresidents.org

Blog: bprainfo.blogspot.com

Twitter: @byopra

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