Zanu-PF leadership slams residents’ association

Last week BPRA, which is linked to MDC-T, launched what it dubbed “Township Peace Rallies”.
It said it wanted to contribute towards a culture of peace and tolerance in communities.
Yesterday BPRA called another meeting, which was attended by representatives of MDC-T, Zapu, and MDC.
However, Zanu-PF was not invited at the “peace rally” held at Stanley Hall in Makokoba.
Zanu-PF Bulawayo provincial chairman Cde Isaac Dakamela said the BPRA was affiliated to the two MDC formations and Zanu-PF did not have anything to do with the meetings.
“BPRA is the brainchild of MDC and there is no way we can attend their meetings unless we have been instructed to do so by the headquarters in Harare. After all, we were not invited,” said Cde Dakamela.
“We know that BPRA is only interested in MDC activities and that is why we were not invited. I only heard about the rallies but my office did not receive the invitation.”
Speaking at the meeting yesterday, MDC-T, MDC and Zapu representatives told residents to emulate their political leaders by maintaining peace and shunning violence in their constituencies ahead of elections expected to be held this year.
The meetings, which will be conducted in all the wards in Bulawayo before they cascade to the rural areas, are meant to inculcate a culture of dialogue and engagement among residents belonging to different political parties.
MDC party spokesperson for Bulawayo Province Mr Edwin Ndlovu said there was no political party worth dying for and urged people to allow political parties to campaign peacefully.
“Politicians from different political parties meet every week but they do not fight despite their differences. This is the kind of spirit that we want to have in this city,” said Mr Ndlovu.
“When politicians campaign, people should ask them what they would do for them in terms of service delivery, instead of fighting each other.”
He said the media should also be involved in this programme by practising progressive journalism.
“Before we go for elections there are some outstanding issues that have to be addressed. These issues include the constitution making process, where the media must enlighten people and refrain from using hate speech when reporting.
“We want journalists to practise progressive journalism, which is important in peace-building among members of the public,” said Mr Ndlovu.
Zapu provincial chairperson for Bulawayo, Retired Colonel Ray Ncube, commended the initiative taken by BPRA, saying it would promote peace among different people.
“We welcome the initiative to promote peace among people, regardless of their political affiliation. As political parties, it is important for us to chart the way forward for the sake of the people.
“If we have peace committees within our local communities, it would be easy for us to pave way for good leadership and promote harmony among political parties,” said Rtd Col Ncube.
Mr Mandla Sibanda, the MDC-T provincial spokesperson for Bulawayo, said such initiatives would help people to be tolerant and accept their political differences.
He, however, expressed disappointment on the absence of Zanu-PF officials, saying the exercise was meant for all political parties.
“These peace rallies are a good thing because they will help us improve relations among political parties and their members.
“I am disappointed that there was no representative from Zanu-PF. We consider them as people who should be part of this programme,” he said.
The residents who attended the meeting said political leaders should also address “structural” violence, where they are being ripped of their hard-earned cash by Zesa, the Bulawayo City Council and other service providers.
They said the late disbursement of the Distressed Industries and Marginalised Areas Fund (Dimaf) and other issues such as pensions for the elderly should also be addressed as they were affecting them.
The rallies have so far been held in Nketa, Pumula and Mpopoma where residents agreed to unite against violence in their communities.
About 200 people attended the Makokoba meeting.