Political parties in Plumtree district have pledged to shun violence in the upcoming 23 August general election.
The pledge was made during a peace march organised by the Zimbabwe Christian Alliance (ZCA) and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) on Thursday.
The march started at Dingumuzi rank and ended with party representatives delivering solidarity messages.
Speaking at the end of the march, ZCA director, Reverend Useni Sibanda, said the peace demonstration was a sign that political parties in Plumtree are committed to holding peaceful elections.
“We hope that this will encourage political parties in other areas that it’s possible to co-exist even if they have different opinions,” said Rev. Sibanda.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Chief Superintendent Mesuli Ncube said the police will do everything in their power to ensure that the elections are peaceful.
“We will try to treat all political parties equally,” said Chief Supt. Ncube.
He added that the police will arrest anyone found to be involved in violence.
Political party representatives who spoke at the march also pledged to hold peaceful campaigns.
Collen Ndlovu who was representing Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) said political violence will not be tolerated in Plumtree.
“Police, we promise you, what you hear in other areas you won’t hear it here because we are neighbours here, we need each other after 23 August,” he said.
ZAPU representative, Benson Tshuma, said political parties should avoid giving campaigners drugs.
“In our campaigns let us do away with drugs, they are affecting our youths,” said Tshuma.
ZANU-PF women’s league member, Siphilisiwe Nhawira, said the party always teaches its supporters to hold peaceful campaigns.
“We urge them to preach the message of our party and not harass other political parties,” she said.
Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) representative, Obvious Mathe said political parties should unite and build Zimbabwe despite their political affiliation.
“I shouldn’t be followed after this meeting because I said I represent MRP,” he said.
“As we go on our campaigns, we should be free and not be targeted because I grew up here in Plumtree.”
