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development that saw MDC-T despatching its secretary for international relations, Mr Jameson Timba, to distribute a dossier in the Sadc region alleging an upsurge in violence Police have, however, dismissed the violence claims saying some parties were citing even beerhall skirmishes as political violence.
Deputy national police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Oliver Mandipaka urged the media to verify and authenticate their reports with the police before publishing unsubstantiated stories likely to cause alarm and despondency.
In separate interviews yesterday, church leaders said the environment was conducive for elections and urged political parties to maintain peace ahead of elections scheduled before the expiry of the Seventh Parliament on June 29.
Rival political party supporters were urged to co-exist.
Heads of Christian Denominations chairperson Dr Goodwill Shana said the church was happy with the peaceful political environment.
“As a church, we believe that political parties can go ahead with the elections since the current environment is peaceful and calm,” he said.
“I trust that now as a country we are mature enough to handle and ensure a peaceful electoral environment. If we maintain the present environment we can have a peaceful election because so far I have not heard any alarming cause for concern regarding political violence.”
Dr Shana, who is also the Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe president and spokesperson, urged all political parties to keep the peace.
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe Bishop for Central Dioceses, Naison Shava, said the environment was conducive for elections.
“I think there have been very peaceful reports on the current political environment and I have not heard any single report of political violence,” said Bishop Shava.
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He said political parties should proceed to elections and work hand in glove to ensure peace.
Zimbabwe Catholic Bishop’s Conference secretary-general Father Fredrick Chiromba said the country had reached a stage where people could work together regardless of political affiliations.
“The referendum has helped people to respect each other and basing on this background, I think we are prepared for the elections.
“These elections should be held in line with the provisions of the Constitution.
“Apart from media reports about political violence, I have not heard of any reports of politically-motivated violence,” said Father Chiromba.
Reverend Simon Mutongi Jena of the Chitungwiza Baptist Church, said they had not heard of any politically- motivated violence countrywide.
“Christians should continue to pray for peace and preach about peace prior to and during the elections” he urged.
Harmonised elections are due by June 29, the day the tenure of the Seventh Parliament lapses.
President Mugabe and Zanu-PF are insisting on the constitutional timeline while the MDC formations want to postpone the polls to between August and October.
The MDCs claim the environment is not conducive for elections.
Analysts have attributed the MDCs ambivalence to elections to lack of preparedness and fear of what is emerging from recent surveys that have pointed to a Zanu-PF victory.
Online Reporter