Mnangagwa says amending constitution is not meant to benefit him or Zanu-PF

Vice President and Justice Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa refuted allegations by MDC-T lawmakers Mr Innocent Gonese (Mutare Central) and Mr Prince Sibanda (Binga North) that Constitutional Amendment Bill (No. 1) is motivated by personal benefit. Mnangagwa said that the amendment is being done according to the people’s wishes.

Said Mnangagwa:

It is my firm belief and conviction that those who entertain such notions are not only mischievous and self-destructive, to say the least, but dangerous, not only to our constitutional democracy, but to themselves. It must be clear to them that I, as the minister to whom the Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs portfolio was assigned, have the unfettered mandate to propose amendments according to the people’s wishes, the law, and procedures available for the peace, order and good governance of the motherland.

He also said that there was no prescribed timeline for the Constitution to be amended and gave an example of South Africa which he said amended its constitution barely seven months after its adoption in August 1997.

More: Herald