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Zim reforms 'inappropriate'
13/06/2007 19:43 - (SA)
Harare - Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai on Wednesday rejected plans to enlarge the parliament, saying constitutional reforms were inappropriate while the country is facing economic meltdown.
"Constitutional amendment number 18 regrettably is not about food, jobs or drugs," the Movement for Democratic (MDC) leader told a news conference.
"The bill is being gazetted in the background of an unprecedented economic meltdown that has seen nominal inflation rise to 4 530% in the month of April with month-on-month inflation far exceeding 1 000%."
Zimbabwe's annual inflation stood at 3 714% according to the government's Central Statistical Office (CSO) although financial analysts say it is higher than the official figures.
"As far as we are concerned, Zimbabwe needs a new constitution that is people-driven and people owned. Without it, there will be no solution to the burning national question of the day. We thus reject this bill," he said.
The Zimbabwe government last week published a bill that seeks, among other things, to shorten the presidential term to five years in a move which would see parliamentary and presidential elections take place concurrently next year.
The bill will also provide for the increase in the number of MPs from 150 to 210. It is widely expected to be nodded through parliament given the ruling Zanu-PF's large majority.
Tsvangirai said the reforms were meant to strengthen the ruling party's stranglehold on power while the inflation-ravaged economy continues on a downturn.
"It is about power, it's maintenance, reproduction and reconsolidation by the Zimbabwe African National Union - Patriotic Front (Zanu-PF). The national project of Zanu-PF is the power equation.
"It is not about the suffering of millions of Zimbabweans at home and abroad," said the opposition leader.
The MDC has previously threatened to boycott next year's elections, when veteran President Robert Mugabe is hoping to secure a seventh term, unless a new constitution is drawn up.
Tsvangirai called for a wholesale revamp of the constitution to be carried out in consultation with the electorate as a whole.
"You can not rearrange the deck of a sinking Titanic," he said.
The suffering of Zimbabweans has no precedent, he said.
"Besides, this country is tired of unilateral piecemeal constitutional amendments," he said.
Zimbabwe's constitution has been amended 17 times since 1980 when it gained independence from Britain.
Mugabe's party has endorsed him as its candidate for presidency in next year's polls.
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