PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa will soon meet fellow
presidential candidates for the July 30 harmonised elections following the
sitting of the nomination court on Thursday so that they commit to holding
peaceful polls.
Addressing a record crowd of Zanu-PF supporters at the
Mucheke B Arena in Masvingo yesterday, President Mnangagwa said he had planned
to meet the leaders of the political parties earlier but postponed the
interface after he was told that the country had 133 parties.
After the sitting of the nomination court, however, 23
candidates, including President Mnangagwa successfully filed their papers to
contest the country’s presidency.
“I come here a day after the nomination court. You will recall
that some time ago I said I wanted to meet all leaders of political parties and
we commit our political parties to non-violence, to a free election, to a
transparent election, all of us together, we must commit ourselves.
“I thought there were about six or ten political parties
but when I wrote Zec asking for the names of the parties, I was told at the
time that they were 112 and I realised that the venue I had arranged was too
small for the meeting,” said President Mnangagwa.
“I decided that we wait until we get a bigger venue but
when I inquired again (from Zec), I was told that the parties were now 133 and
I said let us wait for the nomination court and I will invite those parties
that would succeed in filing their nomination papers.
“I am told that there are 23 parties with leaders that are
contesting the presidency. We will then meet, myself included so that they
commit themselves to peaceful campaigns, non-violent campaigns, no violence, we
want a mature political campaign. Zimbabwe is of age in terms of politics.”
MDC Alliance led by Mr Nelson Chamisa is the most prominent
of the 22 political parties challenging the ruling Zanu-PF party in the July 30
polls.
However, poll surveys ahead of the elections have put
Zanu-PF in the lead and highly likely to romp to victory.
President Mnangagwa said Zanu-PF enjoys the majority
support of Zimbabweans for its members to bother those from other political
parties.
He called for unity, harmony, love and peace in the country
as the country inches towards the polls in line with his administration’s
vision of love, prosperity, peace.
President Mnangagwa said the peaceful manner that
Zimbabweans conducted themselves during the country’s transitional period in
November last year should be continued.
“Why should we today have violence? Let us continue with
this peaceful culture. It is giving us greatness across the world because we
are a peaceful and warm people here in Zimbabwe, that’s a culture we must speak
about, we must spread, we must embrace as a nation,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said his two deputies had visited
Masvingo before yesterday’s rally and told him of the love that the people of
the area have for the party.
He said he was convinced that no other province would match
the multitudes of people at yesterday’s rally.
“You have filled the venue as I was told. If there is a day
I will sleep peacefully, it is today. I can see that all of you love Zanu-PF
and your leadership,” said the President.
“The power of those ruling comes from the people and those
people are you here. If you want powers to rule this country and you don’t have
these people here, where will you derive your mandate? The people are the ones
who give leaders power. My team and I
are happy to see you in your multitudes.”
President Mnangagwa told the multitudes of Zanu-PF
supporters, who started arriving at the venue as early as 4AM, to vote in their
numbers to ensure the party’s victory.
He said by voting for the ruling party, the Zanu-PF
supporters will not only defend the heritage of the black masses but put the
country in the hands of an organisation with a clear vision for its future.
“Let us go on July 30 to cast our votes in our numbers to
defend the heritage of the black people. It is only our party that knows the
suffering of our people during the liberation struggle, our relatives dying
outside the country and within, we honour them on July 30 by voting Zanu-PF,”
said President Mnangagwa.
“These other parties do not know the struggle we went
through and the vision we have for the country.”
President Mnangagwa acknowledged the logistical problems
that characterised the holding of primary elections but called for members to
unite and work towards the interests of the party.
He discouraged the tendency of shunning the party after
losing in the primary elections with some opting to contest as independent
candidates.
“The party is bigger than you. I have always said that
there is no one with a pocket big enough to fit Zanu-PF but we can all fit
inside Zanu-PF. Zanu-PF is a mass party that includes everyone,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said the re-engagement drive by his
administration was bearing fruits as many multi-national corporations were
visiting the country to explore investment opportunities.
“They are coming in their numbers and our hotels in Harare
are facing challenges accommodating them with the overwhelming number of
companies who are seeking engagement in our country,” he said.
The President called for a coordinated fight against
corruption in all sectors of society. Herald
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