New final draft Zimbabwe Constitution

7th February 2013 By: Idasa, an African Democracy Institute

A new and updated version of the new Zimbabwe Constitution has been released by Veritas.

Zimbabwe’s current constitution-making process is mandated by Article Six of the Global Political Agreement (GPA, 2008). Article Six also intended to give citizens an opportunity to contribute to the making of a new and indigenous democratic constitution that would carry Zimbabwe forward.

Since the adoption of the GPA, Zimbabwe has undergone a participatory constitution-making process, the culmination of which is a new draft constitution that will either be adopted or rejected in a referendum. This process has taken place under the auspices of the Constitutional Parliamentary Select Committee (COPAC). On 18 July 2012, COPAC produced a draft constitution that was hailed as a victory; a decisive moment in a process that had been marred by intimidation, low-level violence, politicisation and subjected to severe delays. While ZANU PF ultimately withdrew its support, the 18 July draft is nonetheless an essential tool toward ensuring that citizens and other stakeholders reassert control over the constitution-making process. The Draft demands to be evaluated, commented upon and inserted into all discourse concerning a more democratic and peaceful Zimbabwe.

This webpage provides critical analysis of Zimbabwe’s transition, specifically centred on the constitution-making process. Its purpose is to not only add to the discourse on constitution-making, but to equip citizens and other stakeholders with the knowledge and tools to take ownership of this process and create sustainable change in Zimbabwe.

Download the Constitution of Zimbabwe, final draft February 2013, above