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see political parties being held accountable for their supporters’ violent conduct.
The draft was presented in Cabinet on Thursday by the organ chairperson Vice President John Nkomo.
Cabinet had referred the draft back to political parties for their input.
Organ on National Healing, Reconciliation and Integration co-chairperson Senator Sekai Holland last week said Cabinet had unanimously endorsed the policy.
“After Cabinet approved the policy, it will now go to the Attorney General and from there it will be send to the Cabinet Committee responsible for drafting Bills.
“The draft will be brought back to Cabinet then to Parliament. The civil society will then take it back to the people, remember it originated from the people through churches, civil society, traditional leaders among others,” she said.
The intention, she said, was to unite people than going on a witch-hunt.
Minister Holland said this was a Zimbabwean-driven process that was meant to address Zimbabwean problems without external interference.
She said all parties in the Inclusive Government were sincere about the need for parties to desist from all forms of political violence.
“We are doing it the African way, zvekuputisana fodya where people sit together and discuss their differences. We want people to talk about their problems openly in truth, justice and fairness.
“Our objective is for people to reconcile and from what I have seen I am convinced that political parties are sincere about bringing peace to our people,” she said.
Minister Holland said it was now up to stakeholders involved to expedite the process so that the policy comes into force at the earliest possible time.
The code compels political parties to publicly campaign against violence.
It will establish a National Peace and Reconciliation Council to resolve political disputes.
President Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai last year said the Code of Conduct will be used to rein in perpetrators of violence.
They said this while addressing Zanu-PF, MDC-T and MDC executives at a meeting to seek ways to end political violence.
The Code of Conduct says leaders of political parties will be compelled to issue directives forbidding the intimidation of opponents.
“The leader of a party that has subscribed to this code will instruct the party’s officials, candidates, members and supporters that no weapon of any kind, including any traditional weapon, may be brought to any political rally, meeting, march or other demonstration,” reads the Code of Conduct.
“A party that has subscribed to this code will not engage in or permit any kind of violent activity to demonstrate party strength or to prove supremacy.”
Inter-party and stakeholders committees will be established at national, provincial and district levels to deal with political violence.
The Code of Conduct calls for political parties to manage their election campaigns in ways that do not infringe on the activities of others.
It emphasises that political parties should be able to campaign and disseminate their political ideas without fear. It touches on conduct of political parties during
polling, accepting the outcome of a free and fair election and the use of right language during campaigns.
The Code of Conduct compels political parties to desist from bribery to garner votes.
Online Reporter