By Dumisani Ndlovu
In a bid maintain peace towards, during and after elections, faith based organizations and some of the Zimbabwe political parties yesterday signed peace pledge which citizens described as necessary steps to ensure that the general election slated for August 23, 2023, meets international standards for free and fair elections.
Faith-based organizations spearheaded national peace pledge with Zimbabwe Political Parties and Candidates who are going to take part in the 23 August 2023 elections as a promise for Peaceful, Free, Fair and Credible Elections.
ZANU PF, CCC, MDC-T, ZAPU, UZA, UANC and ZCPD signed the peace pledge. Other political parties did not make it for the event.
ZANU PF, CCC, MDC-T, ZAPU, UZA, UANC and ZCPD signed with great ululation from the member churches and other invited delegates and members of the diplomatic corps. Among the heads of church leaders who witnessed the signing of the peace pledge were representatives from ZCC , UDACIZA, EFZ, ZCBC and the Zimbabwe Indigenous Interdenominational Council of Churches represented by Nehemiah Mutendi, Bishop of the Zion Christian Churches.
Ambassador Stephanie Rey of the Embassy of Switzerland and the Chaplain General for Zimbabwe Republic Police Assistant Commissioner Doyce also witnessed the peace pledge signing ceremony.
“Political parties, candidates and Zimbabwean population we are all children of God . The political jackets we wear should not make us view each other differently , We are first of all , God’s children and we have an obligation and responsibility to be each other’s keeper ” said Bishop Muparutsa , President of Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations .
“I also call upon the Church you’re the custodian of peaceful living in our country. Do not tire in preaching peace , the church is the light and salt of our country and I implore and plead with our candidates not to cause children of God fight each other let us vote in peace and we have life after elections,” concluded Bishop Muparutsa .
Speaking at the event, 4 H Zimbabwe Director, John Muchenje, said: “After an extensive crafting process and engagements with political parties legal team, leaders, members, parliamentary youth caucus, ministry of Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation, Zimbabwe Election Commission (Zec) and churches, the organization has successfully come up with a final document “Zimbabwe Youth Charter on Peace in the electoral processes” and the “Youth Peace Pledge” for consideration, adoption and endorsement by the political parties, their affiliates and other key peace stakeholders ahead of 2023 harmonised election.
Zimbabwe is now in an election mood, there have been case of political violence that have been recorded, with the latest being the death of Tinashe Chitsunge, an opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) activist in Harare on Thursday, allegedly at the hands of ruling ZANU-PF supporters.
Zimbabwe Republic Police has strongly warned those who engage into political violence that the long arm of the law shall descend to them without fear or favour.
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