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Statement regarding an Agreement on a new Constitution between
the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) and the Movement
for Democratic Change (MDC) NATIONAL ASSEMBLY QUESTION FOR
WRITTEN REPLY QUESTION NO: 122 DATE PUBLISHED: 17 FEBRUARY
2006 DATE SUBMITTED: 22 MARCH 2006 Mr W J Seremane (DA) to ask the
President of the Republic: (1) With reference to his statement that the
Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) and the Movement for
Democratic Change (MDC) reached agreement on a new Constitution, (a) when was
this agreement reached, (b) by whom and (c) what were the terms of the proposed
Constitution;
(2) Whether the MDC was responsible for the breakdown in
the negotiations over the new Constitution; if not, why not; if so, why;
(3)
Whether, if agreement on a new Constitution has not been reached, the Government
has developed a new approach to addressing the Zimbabwe crisis; if not, why not;
if so, what are the relevant details?
N135E REPLY: The
South African government has, on an ongoing basis, been in contact with relevant
political role-players in Zimbabwe. It remains our standpoint that the Zimbabwean
people should find a homegrown solution to what is, ultimately, a domestic challenge.
However, if South Africa can, or is invited to contribute to the process of resolving
some of the challenges facing Zimbabwe, we will as a responsible member of the
SADC region and the Continent - be more than willing to do so. South Africa's
involvement in these processes can only be with the consent or at the invitation
of the Zimbabwean people. It is in this context that we are approached by
individuals or representatives from the main political parties in Zimbabwe for
assistance. As we have stated before, informal talks took place nearly two
years ago. One of the issues was a new constitution for Zimbabwe. The talks reached
a stage where a draft new constitution was initialed by representatives of the
parties involved but the process did not continue as new problems arose. It
is unfortunately not appropriate to provide more details on this matter in the
light of the sensitive nature of such discussions.
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