Heal Zimbabwe calls on the MDC Alliance to uphold peace and tolerance ahead of its congress. The MDC Alliance has announced that it will conduct its elective congress from 24-26 May 2019.
On the 30th March 2018, during a selection of candidates for the party’s district organs, rival MDC Alliance camps clashed over irregularities in the selection process. The clashes left former Chitungwiza deputy Mayor, Jabulani Mtunzi and several others injured and hospitalized. Further to this, Heal Zimbabwe has also received reports of similar clashes in areas such as Mbare, Kuwadzana and Epworth.
In light of the above, Heal Zimbabwe implores political parties to reign in on their supporters who perpetrate violence and come up with punitive measures that help deter violence. Political parties must also remain guided by the provisions of the Electoral Code of Conduct for Political Parties which stipulates that NO political party or any of its members or supporters, and NO candidate or any of his or her supporters, may:
(a) use violence, or threaten violence or incite or encourage the use of violence, against anyone on account of his or her political opinions or membership or support of a political party or participation in the election;
(b) intimidate, or incite or encourage the intimidation, of anyone on account of his or her political opinions or membership or support of a political party; act in a way that may provoke violence or intimidation;
(c) use violence or threats or illegal pressure to force voter to refrain from voting or to vote for a candidate or political party against his or her will;
(d) force a voter to reveal the identity of the candidate voted for or take reprisals against a person because of the way in which he or she has voted or is believed to have voted.
Heal Zimbabwe continues to implore political parties to employ dialogue as a tool to resolve disputes. This helps to promote social cohesion and tolerance. Cohesive communities help establish harmony so that people are tolerant of each other and live together in peace. In light of this, Heal Zimbabwe will continue to campaign robustly for a national dialogue that must be premised on adequate inclusion right from the grassroots. More importantly is inclusion of women in the dialogue since they have suffered the brunt of political violence during successive episodes of political conflict in the country.
Source: Heal Zimbabwe
