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Harare Bureau
POLITICAL leadership from the three parties in Government met in Harare yesterday to get an appraisal on the code of conduct to guide parties ahead of the harmonised elections due by July 31. The code of conduct that was designed by the Organ on National Healing, Reconciliation and Integration will see political parties being held accountable for their supporters’ violent conduct.
The Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee facilitated the meeting that saw political parties calling for the promotion of peaceful co-existence.
Zanu-PF, MDC-T and MDC were represented at the meeting that was also attended by the police.
In separate interviews on the sidelines of the meeting, representatives from the three parties hailed the code of conduct for its effort to bring peace ahead of the polls.
“The code is about encouraging peaceful co-existence and tolerance,” said Zanu-PF provincial chairperson Cde Amos Midzi. “It has come at the right time, particularly the spirit behind it is encouraging because it calls on all Zimbabweans from all walks of life to be tolerant and non violent as they prepare for the elections.”
MDC-T representative Mr Tichaona Munyanyi said the code of conduct had come at the right time as the country was gearing itself for the harmonised elections.
“We are moving in the right direction and now what we pray for is that it should not just be a hotel peace talk, but should cascade downwards,” he said.
“We want to urge continued peace building ahead of the elections so that they can be peaceful.”
MDC provincial chairman Mr Trynos Mgutshini added: “At least this meeting has helped people from the three parties to learn to co-exist as they head towards the elections.
“It is important for people to realise that we don’t have to beat up each other for political offices.”
0Some of the provisions of the voluntary code of conduct are that the legitimacy of a government should be rested on a peaceful political environment where people are able to choose political parties of their choice.
It calls upon political parties and their leadership who subscribe to the code to ensure that their supporters adhere to peaceful co-existence.
The code also calls on political parties and the media to refrain from using hate language that incites violence.
Jomic national director Ms Patience Chiradza said the provincial leaderships were expected to come up with a feedback on the provisions of the code before its endorsement by the principals to the inclusive Government.
The code has since been distributed to some provinces except Masvingo, Manicaland and Mashonaland Central.
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