Zimbabwe government publishes bill to  overhaul constitution News
Zimbabwe government publishes bill to overhaul constitution

[JURIST] In a greatly anticipated move, the government of Zimbabwe [JURIST news archive] has published a draft bill proposing sweeping changes to the country's constitution [text], including the creation of a new two-chamber parliament. Shortly after the elections last year, President Robert Mugabe [wikipedia profile], leader of the ruling Zanu PF party [official website], announced plans to amend the constitution [JURIST report] and hold votes on a constitutional amendment to liquidate all private land ownership and convert all productive farmland to government control [JURIST report]. Critics contend that the creation of a bicameral parliament, consisting of a senate and lower house, is simply a way for Mugabe to pack the legislative body with his loyalists. The Mail & Guardian has more.