Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, sukulwenkosi.dube@chronicle.co.zw
TRADITIONAL leaders have implored their communities to maintain peace and desist from derogatory speech that could incite political conflicts.
As the country heads towards the harmonised elections this month, traditional leaders have joined President Mnangagwa and many other voices imploring citizens to maintain the prevailing peace and tranquility before, during and after the elections.
Chief Masendu from Bulilima District said it is the responsibility of each and every citizen to ensure peace prevails.
“The violence that we usually record during elections is carried out by our own people fighting each other because they belong to different political parties,” he said.
President Mnangagwa
Chief Masendu said as members of the same communities, people share public facilities such as boreholes, clinics and schools and as such it did not make sense for the same people to fight because of political differences.
“Some people even attack their relatives who belong to different political parties and such conduct should stop. We have to be united and respect one another.
“If at a community level we don’t attack each other there won’t be violence,” said Chief Masendu.
He said Zimbabweans must take heed of President Mnangagwa’s message of peace and walk the talk in rejecting instigators of violence.
“If someone from another area comes in and tries to instigate violence, let’s quickly dismiss such a person,” said Chief Masendu.
Chief Nhlamba from Gwanda District said peaceful elections were crucial if the people are to remain united after the elections.
He said violence stalls development hence it should be avoided at all costs given the resources being spent by Government on implementing development projects meant to uplift the people’s lives.
Harmonised elections
Chief Nhlamba commended various stakeholders that have partnered Government to preach peace.
“We need to change our mindset as people and appreciate the election processes that demand our patience. Preaching the gospel of peace requires collaboration from various stakeholders.
“I’m glad that there are various stakeholders who are moving around communities to speak against violence and they reaching out to even remote parts of the country,” he said.
Chief Tshitaudze from Beitbridge District said there was a need for people to uphold the spirit of Ubuntu as the country heads towards elections.