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THE FORUM FOR DEMOCRATIC REFORM TRUST

PROPOSALS FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS AND CHANGES IN
OVERALL GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE AND POLICIES

INTRODUCTION

Many of Zimbabwe’s present woes stem from the fact that we have a Constitution which is fundamentally flawed. The Constitution as it is presently framed is a negation of the principle of separation of powers in that it has vested enormous power in the hands of the ruling ZANU-PF Party without all the checks and balances necessary in any democratic society. As a result the ZANU-PF Government has disproportionate representation in Parliament, the power to pass any legislation it wishes, the power to amend the Declaration of Rights and is unaccountable for its actions. This has led to an authoritarian Government which survives upon deception, a climate of fear, control of the media and manipulation of the general populous. The result has been incompetence, widespread corruption, human rights abuse and a stifling of innovation.

All Government power flows from the Constitution and it is thus vitally important that the Constitution be amended so that it honours the following principles:

- a meaningful separation of powers between the executive, legislature and judiciary;
- respect for human rights, freedom and democracy;
- accountability for all Government actions;
- a balance should be struck between discouraging tribalism and regionalism on the one hand and yet encouraging the representation of all points of view on the other hand.

The Constitution is not the only thing that requires attention. Overall Government policies should reflect the abovementioned principles and should strive to achieve the following:

- efficient and streamlined government;
- the stimulation of the economy through pragmatic policies which promote investor confidence.
- the restoration of national pride.

The following proposals are designed to meet the abovementioned objectives.

Lecture given to the Bulawayo Presbyterian Church

The first response most people have when the relationship between the Church and politics is discussed is to cry that the Church should steer clear of politics; “Religion and politics do not mix” and “it is wrong for an Evangelical Church to have any involvement in politics.” Tonight I would like to question this knee-jerk reaction. Thereafter I would like to examine the role of the Church and individual Christians in politics in Zimbabwe at present.

Definition of Politics
There is a need to define the word “politics”. The words politics and political may be given either a broad or a narrow definition. Broadly speaking politics denotes the life of the city and the responsibilities of its citizens. It is concerned therefore with the whole of our life in human society. Politics is the art of living together in a community. According to its narrow definition, however, politics is the science of government. It is concerned with the development and adoption of specific policies with a view to their being enshrined in legislation.

Bearing in mind these broad and narrow definitions at the outset we need to consider whether Jesus was involved in politics. In the latter and narrower sense he clearly was not. Jesus was never a member of a political party, never formed a political party, never adopted a political programme or organised a political protest. Much to the disgust of many Jews he advised them to render unto Caesar what was his. However in the other and broader sense of the word his whole ministry was political. The Kingdom of God he proclaimed and inaugurated was a radically new and different social dispensation whose values and standards challenged what was held dear by the existing regime. He challenged the status quo and provided an alternative to it. Indeed his very ministry was perceived as a challenge to Caesar and to the existing order and he was therefore accused of sedition.