‘Stop the culture of election violence’

Paul Pindani in Chinhoyi

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Monica Mutsvangwa, has urged Zimbabweans to shun the culture of violence in the run-up to the harmonised elections.

Speaking while officially opening the rebranded Nyami-Nyami FM to Platinum FM radio station in Chinhoyi on Saturday, Minister Mutsvangwa said people should respect the value of democracy.

The radio station was relocated from Kariba to Chinhoyi.

“We need to have a violence free election. Let’s not import things which destroy our Ubuntu. There is no need for violence,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.

She said blood was shed during the liberation struggle and it was important not to engage in any form of violence.

“As we go towards the elections, let’s do it peacefully. Let us refuse the culture of violence and build our nation together,” she said.

She said the opening of Platinum FM in Chinhoyi was in line with her Ministry’s vision of taking radio stations to the people.

The Minister said in the Second Republic under the leadership of President Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe is open for business.

“At the onset of the Second Republic, a number of radio and televisions, including community radios, have been licenced. Community                                      radio stations are there to empower marginalised communities.”

She said it was her belief that Platinum FM would tell the real story of Mashonaland West and also advance the Government’s devolution and decentralisation agenda.

“Therefore, it is important to listen to the people and understand their aspirations,” she said.

Mashonaland West was endowed with rich minerals and Minister Mutsvangwa said the station’s diversity should be reflected in its programming, as everyone must have access to information. 

Minister Mutsvangwa also addressed the drugs and substance abuse saying it must be dealt with the way the country dealt with the Covid-19 pandemic.

She implored Platinum FM to have programmes that target the youths as the major victims of drugs and substance abuse.

“We are losing future leaders to the drug scourge. Let’s name and shame all those who are peddling drugs. As a radio station, this message has to be spread to the grassroots,” she said.

Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Mary Mliswa-Chikoka, said the opening of Platinum FM was a glorious day for the people of Chinhoyi and the province as a whole.

“The coming on board of the radio station is a devolution success story. The Second Republic has liberalised the airwaves,” said Minister Mliswa-Chikoka.

Zimpapers Board chairman, Tommy Sithole, said the move to relocate the radio station to the provincial headquarters was informed by the desire to spread the wings of the station from the edge of Kariba.

“Thank you BAZ (Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe) for giving us the flexibility to move from Kariba. I also want to thank the community for accepting the radio station as your own,” said Sithole.