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President Mugabe’s calls for peace during the forthcoming harmonised elections saying this is vital for a free and fair election in Zimbabwe. President Mugabe made the call in his address yesterday at the National Sports Stadium in Harare.
He ordered police to deal decisively with all perpetrators of violence before, during and after the harmonised elections.
Zanu-PF spokesperson Cde Rugare Gumbo said the revolutionary party welcomed the message and would use every opportunity to urge its supporters to walk and talk peace.
“That was a wonderful speech and what is important is he has appealed to all leaders from the national level to the village level,” he said.
“The President has hit the nail on the head and the ball is now in the court of every Zimbabwean to ensure that there is no killing, assaulting and even provocation of each other.”
MDC-T spokesperson Mr Douglos Mwonzora said President Mugabe’s speech was commendable and everyone should heed his call.
“The MDC-T welcomes the message that the police should arrest anyone involved in political violence despite his or her affiliation,” Mr Mwonzora said.
“We want the police not to look at the political identity of offenders. It is good that the leader of the country has given an order but what remains now is for everyone to put this into practice.
“If we do not execute that, the calls will remain useless rhetoric. It is our hope that those in charge of the police will equally instruct all officers to arrest violent elements without fear or favour.”
MDC spokesperson Mr Kurauone Chihwayi said the call for peace showed President Mugabe’s maturity.
“This has been said before and for it not to be only a juicy statement, let us now heed that call and campaign peacefully ahead of the elections and lets maintain that peace even after the elections,” he said.
“As a party, we are mainly concerned with the results and we are waiting to see how the parties will react as well as how the police will execute their mandate.”
Palestinian ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Hashem Dajani said if people heed the calls for peace then Zimbabwe would have successful elections.
“With what we have heard today from the President, we wish Zimbabwe a succesful election.
“This success will guarantee prosperity and economic emancipation,” he said.
War Veterans leader Cde Jabulani Sibanda said peace was important as Zimbabwe continues to consolidate the gains of the liberation struggle.
“We want to consolidate our land and natural resources and that is only achievable in a peaceful environment hence the President’s speech is an ideal one,” he said.
“We want to service the needs of our people and only a non-violent environment will see us through.
“During the liberation struggle we never enjoyed peace because of the white settler regime but because we have an understanding leader, we have that opportunity now and it is time to heed the call to maintain peace.”
Zanu-PF Harare provincial chairman Cde Jim Kunaka said as youths they would follow what President Mugabe has said.
“If the leader has said it out, who are we to oppose?
“There is always a link between peace, unity and development and that is going to guide us during our campaigns.
“We should campaign peacefully and learn to tolerate each other because we are one family as evidenced by the attendance today,” said Cde Kunaka.
The main celebrations at the National Sports Stadium drew the leaders of the main political parties.
Online Reporter