Manicaland political players sign peace pledge

Yolanda Simango
CHIPINGE TIMES REPORTER

MUTARE-Five political parties yesterday signed the peace pledge promoting harmony before, during and after next week’s general elections.
The pledges were brokered by churches and are being done across all provinces. Roman Catholic Church Mutare Diocese head Bishop Paul Horan and chairperson of the Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe Bishop Never Muparutsa presided over the signings.
Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Manicaland coordinator Itai Masaka, Zanu deputy secretary for legal affairs Fortune Chasi, Zimbabwe Coalition for Peace and Development (ZCPD) secretary for youth Collet Hungwe, United Zimbabwe Alliance UZA) secretary general Natsai Pfupajena, MDC-T Manicaland Province chairperson David Tekeshe signed the pledges. Bishop Muparutsa said the program began in Harare after churches found it prudent to remind the nation to embrace peace.
“The church found it appropriate to have gatherings like these to emphasize peace and nurture democracy while embracing unity,” he said.
The peace pledge also urged politicians to comply provisions of the Electoral Code of Conduct.
Tekeshe said the peace pledge signing is a mere formality as the electorate in rural constituencies is being intimidated.
“Police are being partisan. Some perpetrators of violence are walking freely. People in rural areas are afraid,” he said.
Masaka welcomed the pledge and said the initiative should have come sooner.
“Our council candidate Tichaenzana Maita was assaulted by unknown culprits from a certain political party and our aspiring Mutare Urban constituency candidate Brian James he is suffering racism and being intimidated because of his skin colour,” he said. Chasi said Zanu PF is promoting peace from the grassroots. He said his party is expelling anyone who perpetrates violence.