The Centre for Conflict Management and Transformation (CCMT) and Chitungwiza and Manyame Rural Residents Association (CAMERA) today held a dialogue on peace and elections as a way of responding to incidences of electorally motivated violence which was witnessed in Chitungwiza during the primary elections for different political parties. Zimbabwean elections over the years have been associated with violence which have left many citizens in fear of history repeating itself.
As we draw closer to the 2018 harmonized elections it is very important to maintain peace in our communities. 60 participants (15 of which were aspiring council candidates) including the Chitungwiza Mayor Councillor Goodwill Mushangwe and other sitting councillors from the town were in attendance.The aspiring candidates were drawn from across the political divide including major political parties such as ZANU PF and MDC Alliance. The participants who included independent council candidates demanded that as the nation draws nearer to the elections, aspiring candidates must encourage the communities to make sure that people desist from engaging in violent campaign activities and observe peace.
The candidates who attended the dialogue pledged to conduct their campaign activities in a peaceful manner in line with the provisions of the laws of the country. All the 15 candidates who were in attendance signed a peace pledge as a commitment to peace.
The organisers of the peace and elections dialogue (CCMT and CAMERA) committed to taking similar initiatives to specific wards in Chitungwiza that have in the past recorded high incidences of politically motivated violence.
Source: Chitungwiza and Manyame Rural Residents Association (CAMERA)
