adminMashonaland East, Cde Ray Kaukonde, has said.
Several surveys have pointed to a Zanu-PF win at the forthcoming polls that the Constitutional Court last Friday ordered should be held by July 31. Cde Kaukonde made the remarks on Saturday while addressing party supporters at Chingwena Secondary School in Mudzi West, who gathered for the constituency’s belated International Women’s Day celebrations. Legislator for the area Cde Aqualinah Katsande organised the commemorations that were held under the theme; “Peace begins with me, Peace begins with you and Peace begins with all of us”.
“Please, we don’t want any violence. Let’s heed what President Mugabe has said, that there should be no violence at all.
“Our vote is what counts. It is your X that counts and not violence. Please let us go to the elections peacefully,” Cde Kaukonde said.
The inclusive Government, he said, had presented an opportunity for Zimbabweans to see what the two MDCs were made of. “You remember that when the MDC called for sanctions in 2000 some teachers celebrated thinking they were targeted at a few individuals but now they can see that these sanctions don’t discriminate. They are comprehensive and are affecting everyone, including the same people who initially celebrated their imposition,” he said.
Zanu-PF, Cde Kaukonde said, believed in women empowerment but urged them to contest in all constituencies instead of waiting to push for seats to be reserved for them.
In an interview on the sidelines of the commemorations, Cde Katsande said the theme was inspired by the need to ensure peace throughout the country.
“We want peace starting from the home, that is why we are commemorating International Women’s Day today. We are urging women to start peace from the home so that even out there people can be peaceful. We know women can urge their husbands or sons not to engage in violence as we head towards the elections,” she said.
Mutoko North MP, Cde Mabel Chinomona said women should be proud of who they are instead of being looked down upon by their male counterparts.
Online Reporter