The ManicaPost
Liberty Dube
Post Correspondent
TRADITIONAL leaders and the Mutasa community have hailed the ongoing constitutional outreach programme conducted across the country by the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, saying it was critical and long overdue.
The Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs on Wednesday conducted the outreach programme at Sanyamandwe Hall in Mutasa District at an oversubscribed event.
Permanent secretary in the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Mrs Virginia Mabhiza, said Government was obliged in terms of the Constitution to conscientise the public on issues pertaining the laws of the land. Mrs Mabhiza was impressed with the overwhelming response from the community.
“We are here in Manicaland, Mutasa District, as part of our constitutional outreach programme. We are obliged in terms of the Constitution to conscientise the public on issues to do with the supreme law of the land.
“In fact and more specifically, Section Seven of the Constitution mandates us to embark on such activities. Today, is our first outreach after the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. We are now targetting the rural communities as in the past we were targetting provincial capitals.
“We will proceed to Masvingo in Zimuto communal lands where we will have a similar programme. We are very happy with the turnout as well as their active participation,” she said.
Acting Chief Mutasa said the constitutional outreach programme was long overdue.
“As traditional leaders and citizens we are happy with the outreach programme as this will help us to have a better understanding of the Constitution. Everyone should know that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land.
“At least people who attended this outreach programme now know that even cultural moral and values are aligned to the Constitution. I am happy that issues like child marriages have been elaborated, and it has been made clear that child marriages are illegal,” said Acting Chief Mutasa.
Acting Headman Sanyamandwe, Mr George Chidawanyika, said: “I am happy that people were accorded this special chance to know more about their Constitution. This programme should be rolled out to all districts in the province.”
