Policians should avoid reckless utterances and verbal threats - ZPP

Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) has condemned all forms of violence and calls on political parties to reign in their supporters and ensure peaceful proceedings of party meetings.

ZPP said intra-party violence is alleged to have marred a provincial coordinating committee meeting called by Vice President, Phelekezela Mphoko. Supporters of the ruling party are reported to have differed on what should be the fate of political commissar, Saviour Kasukuwere.

"The result were violent skirmishes where district youth chairperson, Magura Charumbira was reportedly stabbed. In another incident, MDC-T president Morgan Tsvangirai is accused to have made statements that incite violence at a National Electoral Reform Agenda (NERA) meeting in Chinhoyi. Tsvangirai is reported to have made reference to violence that erupted at a Highlanders and Dynamos football match and said the same "could visit the country" if Zanu PF won the forthcoming elections. The MDC-T spokesperson, Luke Tamborinyoka, insists their leader was quoted out of context," said ZPP.

"However, ZPP impresses on all political parties to avoid statements that could incite violence. Political leaders influence opinions and actions of many citizens. Reckless utterances and verbal threats may lead to unpredicted actions with dire effects on the populace."

ZPP said it is worried that unless political parties reign in their supporters and the language they use in such incidents will mar the environment of the 2018 elections.