WASHINGTON —
In a show of unity among the three main political parties and the Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee (JOMIC), officials in Mashonaland East on Tuesday launched a peace building campaign to promote non-violent campaigning among their supporters.
Held today in Wedza, members of Zanu-PF and the Movement for Democratic Change formations of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Professor Welshman Ncube kicked off their program with a clean-up of the area.
Officials said the exercise is designed to curb political violence at a time of growing political tensions as Zimbabweans prepare for a general election expected before the end of the year.
MDC-T provincial chairman Piniel Denga told VOA that the program is intended to show solidarity among the parties.
MDC-N provincial chairman Tangisai Mandaza said the peace campaign may be a good start, but political party officials must walk the talk.
VOA asked a Zanu-PF party representative at the campaign and a Zanu-PF representative to JOMIC to comment on Tuesday’s program, but both said they would not speak with VOA.
VOA reached out to Zanu-PF deputy director of information, Psychology Maziwisa, who said his party welcomes the joint campaign as it promotes the calls for non-violence made by the president.
JOMIC’s campaign continues Wednesday in Murehwa, where the parties said they will help the chief with the harvest. But the question now lies on if the campaign can succeed or will it reduce violence?
VOA reporter Sithandekile Mhlanga put the questions to JOMIC co-chairperson, Thabitha Khumalo, who said the community initiative programs the government initiated last year have helped reduce cases of political violence throughout the country.
The peace campaign is expected to round out at Friday will a football match among supporters.
Held today in Wedza, members of Zanu-PF and the Movement for Democratic Change formations of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Professor Welshman Ncube kicked off their program with a clean-up of the area.
Officials said the exercise is designed to curb political violence at a time of growing political tensions as Zimbabweans prepare for a general election expected before the end of the year.
MDC-T provincial chairman Piniel Denga told VOA that the program is intended to show solidarity among the parties.
MDC-N provincial chairman Tangisai Mandaza said the peace campaign may be a good start, but political party officials must walk the talk.
VOA asked a Zanu-PF party representative at the campaign and a Zanu-PF representative to JOMIC to comment on Tuesday’s program, but both said they would not speak with VOA.
VOA reached out to Zanu-PF deputy director of information, Psychology Maziwisa, who said his party welcomes the joint campaign as it promotes the calls for non-violence made by the president.
JOMIC’s campaign continues Wednesday in Murehwa, where the parties said they will help the chief with the harvest. But the question now lies on if the campaign can succeed or will it reduce violence?
VOA reporter Sithandekile Mhlanga put the questions to JOMIC co-chairperson, Thabitha Khumalo, who said the community initiative programs the government initiated last year have helped reduce cases of political violence throughout the country.
The peace campaign is expected to round out at Friday will a football match among supporters.
