The passing of the new Constitution last year was hailed by players from across the political divide as heralding a new era in Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe had been in a protracted debate for a new governance charter for sometime and in 2000 an attempt was made to draft a new constitution.
The draft was rejected mainly because the process was partisan with President Robert Mugabe’s ruling Zanu PF party practically closing out alternative voices.
However, hope was restored with the formation of the coalition government in 2009 that went on to spearhead the constitution-making exercise.
Despite their apparent differences, the parties in the inclusive government managed to unite to deliver a constitution that was acceptable to all Zimbabweans.
The document was a product of painstaking negotiations, which showed that Zimbabweans had the capacity to define their common interests and aspirations.
The passing of the new Constitution was meant to be the beginning of a long journey to democratic reforms that should be characterised by the realignment of numerous laws that fell foul of the new order.
Last year’s elections ushered in an exclusively Zanu PF government and ideally this should have made the realignment of laws an easier process since there was no longer haggling over policy issues.
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But over a year after the Constitution became law, the government is yet to take any tangible steps to align the laws that are not in tandem with the supreme law.
There were some key deliverables that were expected soon after the July 31 elections such as the creation of new provincial councils as part of efforts to devolve power from central government.
It is a known fact that Zanu PF was not happy with the inclusion of devolution of power in the new Constitution for very narrow interests.
Therefore, the assertion by the MDC led by Welshman Ncube that delays in the setting up of provincial councils as required by the new Constitution is a ploy to prevent devolution might be true.
The new Constitution that was adopted just before last year’s elections provides for devolution through provincial councils.
Members of provincial councils are chosen through proportional representation and delays mean those elected to serve in the structures have already lost a year to fulfil their mandate as given in the last elections.
The government is showing disdain to the electorate by delaying the process to set up provincial councils and the ruling party risks being judged harshly for this neglect of duty.
