CONSTITUTION OF THE MOVEMENT FOR DEMOCRATIC CHANGE

As approved by the inaugural Congress of the MDC held at Chitungwiza in January 2000 and amended and adopted at the Second Congress at the City sports Centre-Harare on 18 March 2006

PREAMBLE
WHEREAS from the 26th to the 28th February 1999, delegates representing various working people’s organisations including the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions met at a convention in Harare, to discuss various issues of concern regarding Zimbabwe.

AND WHEREAS the convention unanimously noted the failure and inability of the present Zimbabwean Government to govern Zimbabwe justly, transparently,honestly, fairly and equitably.

AND WHEREAS the said convention identified and raised serious concerns and unhappiness at the manner Zimbabwe has been governed.

In particular the convention noted:

• the inability of the economy to address the basic needs of most Zimbabweans;
• the disempowerment of the people and breach of the rule of law through state sponsored violence and abuse of human rights, and in particular the genocide perpetrated in Matabeleland and Midlands;
• the severe decline in incomes, employment, health, food, security and well being of people;
• the unfair burden borne by working women and persistence of gender discrimination in practice;
• the decline and in some cases collapse of public services;
• the lack of progress in resolving land hunger and rural investment needs;
• the weak growth in industry and marginalisation of the vast majority of the nation’s entrepreneurs;
• the absence of a national constitution framed by and for the people;
• the persistence of regionalism, racism and other divisions undermining national integration;
• Widespread corruption and lack of public accountability in political and economic institutions.

AND WHEREAS the convention noted the need and desire for forming a political movement that will seek to address the broad concerns of the convention.

AND WHEREAS it was subsequent to the convention established through wide consultations throughout Zimbabwe that there is an overwhelming desire for the formation of a broad based political party.

AND WHEREAS a political party known as the Movement for Democratic Change dedicated to the promotion and advancement of human rights and to setting up a government based on the principles of freedom and good governance, was launched at Rufaro Stadium on the 11th September 1999.

AND WHEREAS the inaugural Congress of the Movement for Democratic Change was held at Chitungwiza on the 29th January 2000 and it was resolved to adopt a constitution.

NOW THEREFORE the Movement for Democratic Change adopts the following constitution as amended.

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