The meeting comes amid reports that Zanu PF has seconded members of the intelligence, army and other civil servants to Copac to influence the outcome of the process.Some of them have taken leave from work to assume full duties as Zanu PF advisors in thematic committees.
“The whole constitution-making process has been politicised and my fear is that it will not reflect the true views of the people,” said a member of Copac who requested anonymity. “We have soldiers, CIOs, judicial officers and several other civil servants.”
Copac co-chairperson Douglas Mwonzora on Friday said the fate of 3 Infantry Brigade commander Brigadier-General Douglas Nyikayaramba, who was seconded by Zanu PF as an advisor, will be the major issue on the agenda.
“The management committee is meeting on Monday and Nyikayaramba’s secondment will definitely be one of the issues that will be discussed,” Mwonzora said. “As for the other state security operatives, it is difficult because we don’t know them. We will start with those we know.”
Mwonzora said Nyikayaramba, a staunch supporter of President Robert Mugabe, was disqualified by the committee in 2009 but Zanu PF pushed him back again.The committee comprises negotiators from the three political parties that signed the Global Political Agreement (GPA) as well as the Minister of Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs Eric Matinenga.
The Standard spoke to one of the state security operatives but he vehemently denied being a member of the dreaded shadowy group.
Justice and Legal Affairs deputy minister Obert Gutu said it was wrong for Zanu PF to rope in members of the security forces and judicial officers.
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“Allowing serving members of the security service to act as deployees of a political party is very dangerous because the security is there to serve the government of the day,” Gutu said.
He said involving the security services in politics was a recipe for political disaster as it increased chances of internal strife. Zanu PF spokesperson Rugare Gumbo refused to comment.
ZANU PF members co-opted into COPAC
Other notable people employed by state institutions representing Zanu PF include Zimbabwe Media Commission chief executive officer Tafataona Mahoso and University of Zimbabwe lecturer Vimbai Chivaura.
The involvement of Harare regional magistrate Never Katiyo has also generated controversy.
But Katiyo on Friday said he was not nominated by Zanu PF but by traditional chiefs as their technical advisor.
“Even if you go to the United Nations Development Programme you will find my CV. My coming here is above board and my employer (Judicial Services Commission) is aware of it,” Katiyo said.
He said he could not align himself to any political party as it would compromise his professional integrity.
