VICE-PRESIDENT Constantino Chiwenga has denounced all forms of violence and urged Zimbabweans to desist from fighting each other ahead of the March 26 by-elections.
Mr Nelson Chamisa, who leads the Citizens Coalition for
Change (CCC), is on record saying he will use violence if he loses next year’s
elections.
The call by the Vice-President follows recent political
violence that erupted in Kwekwe during a CCC campaign rally in which one person
died. Police arrested 16 suspects, but five appeared in court in connection
with the death.
Social media and opposition elements have been accusing
Zanu-PF of instigating the political violence in Kwekwe despite the fact that
when violence broke out in the middle of a speech by Mr Chamisa, the party’s
organising secretary Mr Amos Chibaya could be seen grabbing the microphone
inciting party youths to resort to violence.
Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe has said police will leave no stone unturned in hunting for perpetrators of violence and cautioned political actors against prematurely making conclusions or apportioning blame to anyone before investigations are completed.
Addressing scores of Zanu-PF supporters at a rally at
Isilwane Youth Centre in Old Pumula suburb on Friday to drum up support for the
ruling party candidates ahead of the March 26 by-elections, VP Chiwenga said an
election is not justification for any form of violence.
“We want the election process to be defined by peace.
We don’t want any violence and we say no to violence and we
condemn it and give it the utmost contempt it deserves,” he said.
VP Chiwenga said Zimbabweans should shun violence and be
united in their diversity.
“As our late Vice-President John Nkomo said ‘peace begins
with you, peace begins with me and peace begins with all of us’, we must sing
unity, unity, unity and this is how we as Zanu-PF prevail.
We are strong as we continue to be united in our diversity
as Zimbabwe.
“Let us therefore, love one another and our country
Zimbabwe.
We need to keep violence out of our politics because we are
a peace-loving people and we cherish doing our business in an environment of
peace and unity.”
VP Chiwenga, who is also the Second Secretary of the ruling
party, said despite political differences, Zimbabweans are one as they are
bound by the blood shed during the country’s struggle for independence.
“So, we remain as brothers and sisters of one Zimbabwe,
bound by the blood that was shed during the struggle to liberate this country
and exemplified by the red colour on our national flag.
An election is certainly not justification for any form of
violence,” he said.
VP Chiwenga said violence is not developmental and reminded
citizens, including those in opposition that being in opposition was not
permanent.
He urged people to go out in their numbers and vote for
Zanu-PF on March 26, saying the ruling party’s victory would be a win for the
people, democracy and development.
“The election season is upon us. As you may be aware, the
nation will conduct by-elections for vacant parliamentary and council seats.
Our party is known for its symbiotic relationship with the people just like
fish are with water,” said the VP.
“We have come to reaffirm our total allegiance to the
spirit of being a party of the people, a party that works for the people and a
party that is inspired by the aspirations of the people.
This is why our revered and able leader, the President and
First Secretary of Zanu-PF, Cde Mnangagwa always underlines the principle of
servant leadership.”
Last month, President Mnangagwa launched the Zanu-PF
campaign ahead of the by-elections in Epworth, Harare, where he enunciated
game-changing policies that his administration is implementing to make Zimbabwe
an upper-middle-class economy by 2030.
The elections are also coming at a time when the ruling
party is steering the economy towards sustainable growth as is stated in the
economic blueprint, the National Development Strategy 1.
Last year, President Mnangagwa gifted urbanites title deeds
as the Central Government moved in to end the rot in local authorities that has
been in the hands of corruption-ridden and often incompetent opposition
parties.
VP Chiwenga said under the Second Republic led by President
Mnangagwa, the country has been taken to a new level, punctuated by a raft of
development-oriented policies, programmes and projects.
“None but ourselves shall build and develop our country,
brick by brick, stone upon stone.
Hence, the mantra nyika inovakwa nevene vayo speaks loudly
and clearly to the need for each one of us to put both hands on the deck and
work for the national development. Chronicle
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