UN Agency Commits US$21 Million to Zimbabwe Constitutional Process - Lawmaker

Co-Chairman Douglas Mwondzora of the Parliamentary Select Committee for Constitutional Revision said a contract with the United National Development Program has been signed and a referendum is possible by November

Patience Rusere | Washington 09 March 2010

The United Nations Development Program has pledged US$21 million to fund Zimbabwe's constitutional revision process, easing fears the project might be stalled by funding issues, a senior parliamentary manager of the exercise said Tuesday.

Co-Chairman Douglas Mwondzora of the Parliamentary Select Committee for Constitutional Revision said a contract with the UN agency has been signed and a referendum is expected to be held on new draft constitution in November.

Mwonzora told VOA that the vexed question of funding police security operations during the public outreach phase of the exercise - delayed by funding issues - has been referred to the unity government principals.

Mwonzora said the parliamentary committee could not  afford to pay the US$3 million demanded by top police officials to provide security during outreach.

Mwonzora said his committee wants the government to provide additional funding for security, saying political violence is a “continuous” threat to the process.

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