Traditional leaders, councilors, youths, church representative, Organ on National Healing and political party representative thronged the Kusile Town Council guest house in Lupane to attend a multi-stakeholders meeting meant for the cross-pollination of views among the stakeholders particularly on how best to mitigate the instances of violence in the area ahead of the expected referendum and national elections expected in the near future.
Lupane is a hotbed of politically motivated violence with heightened political contestation which has led to the death of a political activist in Gomoza area, 120 kilometers north-west of Lupane center during the 2008 election.
Traditional leaders, who have been accused of meddling in political affairs, distanced themselves from being attached to partisan politics. They commended civil society in taking an all-inclusive approach in peace building ahead of elections.
Meanwhile, victims of political violence called on the organ for national healing and JOMIC to bring the perpetrators of violence to book. They said they suffer the agony of facing the perpetrators who are still as free as doves in their communities.
Other participants castigated political leaders in government for failing to call for peace among their followers.
What they said…
“The mention of elections still brings fear to the communities in Lupane as they have not healed from past hurts and experiences” – Participant
“All political parties should campaign for votes fairly and refrain from using hate language and violence as this has an impact on how the electorate behaves as well” –Sithole ZAPU Rep
“Traditional leadership should be assisted so that they handle the issue of land allocation in a fair manner that does not cause further conflict”- Decent Bajila, MDC.
“The police should do their job in an impartial and respectful manner without getting involved in partisan politics”- Charles Mpofu MDC-T.
“JOMIC and the ONHRI should carry out community programs so that communities can be aware of what is happening around them” – ZANU PF Rep
Other people at the meeting included a representative from the Organ for National Healing Mr. Ngwenya and Reverend Useni Sibanda who also hammered on the need for peace in the upcoming elections.