The National Constitutional Assembly was founded in 1997 by various civil society organisations, churches and the union. The organisation is campaigning for a new constitution that gives parliament more powers and limits the terms a president can serve to two.
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| Lovemore Madhuku |
How do you see the coming elections?
They aren’t fair. I can guarantee that already. The past three years, the government has systematically reduced the opposition’s influence, muzzled the press and nipped any political debate in the bud.
In what way is NCA being repressed by the government?
We can only hold meetings in secret. The law dictates that we must have our gatherings pre-approved by the police, but that’s an impossibility. The government also doesn’t want us to accept money from foreign donors. This limits the amount of money we can collect. We are willing to break the rules. There’s nothing wrong with accepting foreign money! After all, we can’t do anything without money. We need money to mobilize people, to pay for computers, for materials to inform people of their basic civil rights.
Has this repression ever caused you to waver?
Waver? No, never! The government activities only serve to further convince us that what we are doing is necessary. They make us more dedicated to the cause.
What is it you are most proud of?
Our strength in defying all the limiting laws. Despite all of the repression, we continue to demonstrate, continue to keep morale high. We want to convince people that Zimbabwe can get an accountable government.
What does NiZA mean to the NCA?
NiZA provides us with strategic advice, and strengthens our capacity, for example through workshops.
Source: NiZA Information nr 1, March 2005.
