Violence blamed on politicians

Herald Reporter
SENATORS across the political divide on Wednesday said politicians were responsible for violence that is usually experienced during elections and called on their colleagues to preach peace.
Debating on a motion on incidents of violence in Mbare, Budiriro and surrounding areas, the Senators admitted that they were responsible for instigating violence in search of political power.

The motion was moved by Senator Morgan Komichi (MDC-T).
Zanu-PF Senator for Mount Darwin Cde Alice Chimbudzi said it was high time politicians stopped using youths to beat up their opponents.

“It is us politicians who cause all the violence we see during elections because we hire people to beat up our opponents.
“Political violence is happening even within political parties, be it in Zanu-PF or in MDC. The youths are being abused and as politicians we should show maturity by denouncing violence.

“Elections should be held in a peaceful environment and if someone loses, so be it and whoever wins should be respected,” she said.
Cde Chimbudzi said it was morally wrong for one to win an election through violence.

“I have told people in my constituency that if they beat up people, I will not be involved because I don’t support such actions. It is bad for our country and it gives us a bad name.
“We are teaching our children to be violent which is morally wrong. We don’t want elections where one wins because he is violent,” she said.

Chief Chisunga of Mashonaland Central said human beings were supposed to engage in dialogue than violence.
“We are not animals which fight for territorial boundaries because they can’t talk. It is bad for our country to shed blood as this will give us bad luck.

“It won’t rain if people shed blood because of politics. God loves this country and we don’t want those blessings to go away because of politicians who instigate violence.
“As chiefs we don’t want violence because violence destroys the economy and the country,” he said.

Chief Chisunga said if one commits murder for whatever reason, avenging spirits would follow the person who would have committed the murder and not the political party or politician who would have sent them.
MDC-T Senator for Chitungwiza, Mr James Makore said it was the responsibility of politicians to teach their supporters about peaceful co-existence.

“As politicians we have to preach peace to our youths. We don’t want to leave a bad legacy to our youths. As a genuine politician how can one order someone to go and murder your opponent for a five-year term only?
“We are a Christian nation and violence should not be part of us.
“We cannot afford to be like Somalia where violence has become their culture. Genuine politicians would not want to see someone murdered for the sake of politics,” he said.