Staff Reporter
President Mnangagwa is continuing with his campaign for peaceful elections in Zimbabwe this year, taking advantage of any gathering that he attends to encourage people to live in harmony.
Even when provoked by opposition supporters, the President has advised ZANU PF supporters to “give them a cup of water and tell them to leave thereafter”.
As Zimbabwe continues the count down towards the 2023 harmonised elections expected between July and August, President Mnangagwa has intensified calls for violence-free elections.
He is now taking advantage of every platform to call on everyone to conduct themselves peacefully before, during and after the elections.
ZANU PF expects to easily win the elections as more people, in and outside the country, realise that it is only the revolutionary party that has capacity to develop Zimbabwe.
While launching the FBC Building Society Fontaine Ridge Housing Project in Kuwadzana, Harare, in March, President Mnangagwa implored everyone to be peaceful.
Again, in March when he travelled to Bulawayo ahead of the Annual Chief’s conference, President Mnangagwa told Zanu PF supporters gathered to welcome him at the Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo International Airport that there was no room for violence in Zimbabwe.
“We are going for our harmonised elections (and) I am so happy that your (Zanu PF Bulawayo provincial) chairman (Cde Jabulani Sibanda) told me that so far everything is happening peacefully.”
“It is very important. We do not want violence. We must act peacefully because we are going to win hands down. This time sizabatshaya (we will win the elections).
In his address while officially opening the Mubaira Hospital Projects, the President said: “Equally, I take the opportunity of this event to call upon our communities to continue promoting and preserving the prevailing peace and tranquil environment as we head for the upcoming harmonised general elections.
“Violence has no place in our villages, wards and districts. It must be rejected in whatever form. In unity, love and harmony; let us continue to work hard towards modernising, industrialising and growing our economy.
“Brick by brick, stone upon stone, step by step, we should never tire to create a better and prosperous future, while building the Zimbabwe we want.”
He took the same opportunity to denounce violence and promote peace when he visited Kadoma to officially commission the Muduvuri Pan-African Referral Hospital.
“I take the opportunity of this occasion to call upon the entire nation to remain united, peaceful as well as reject violent tendencies as we head for our free, fair and credible harmonised general elections,” said President Mnangagwa.
To show that the President is determined to ensure violence-free elections, he has directed the police to arrest those caught perpetrating violence or implicated in violence.
Police have since declared that they would be on the lookout for merchants of violence.
During the recent Zanu PF primary elections, those that were fingered in violence, were disqualified.
President Mnangagwa’s repeated calls for peaceful campaigns come as some opposition parties have threatened to unleash violence before, during and after the elections. Refreshingly, a Harare magistrate recently convicted Transform Zimbabwe leader Jacob Ngarivhume for three effective years, for inciting violence.
Other opposition leaders have their cases of violence and incitement to cause violence being heard in court.
Political scientists say if another conviction was to be obtained again, a strong message would have been sent to would-be offenders that violence not be tolerated in Zimbabwe.
