Zimbabwe today officially launches public hearings on the making of a first post independence constitution for the southern African nation.

Co-chairperson of the parliamentary select committee steering the constitution making process, Paul Mangwana said president Robert Mugabe, prime minister Morgan Tsvangirai and deputy prime minister, Arthur Mutambara launch the programme today.

"Finally, the wait is over," said Mr Mangwana in an interview.

Harare's constitution making process was initially set to take off last year after the formation of a unity government in February but lack of funding derailed the programme.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the European Union (EU) have availed US$3.3 million for the outreach programmes to gather people's views on a new constitution.

"We are ready to begin the long awaited process that is being officially launched today by Mugabe, Tsvangirai and Mutambara," Mr Mangwana added.

The country's parliamentary select committee is leading the process to create the country's first post independence constitution after which new elections will be held.

Currently the country relies on the 1979 Lancaster House Constitution that gave birth to independence in 1980 and has been amended a record 19 times.

Zimbabweans in the diaspora would be excluded in the constitution making process due to lack of funds as the parliamentary select committee does not have financial resources to visit locals outside the country to gather their views on the process.

About three million skilled and unskilled Zimbabweans have fled the country to neighbouring nations like South Africa and Botswana and to overseas nations over the years in search of better paying jobs and living conditions.

By Staff reporter and agencies