News / National
Churches hold peace roadshows
23 Aug 2018 at 06:52hrs | Views
THE Zimbabwe Christian Alliance (ZCA) on Sunday held roadshows in Bulawayo, Matabeleland North and South and Midlands provinces, calling for peace as part of a commitment to the peace-pledge signed by political parties and other stakeholders before the July 30 harmonised elections.
"The roadshows were conducted across four provinces in partnership with the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC)," ZCA director Useni Sibanda said yesterday.
The peace pledge – a first in the history of the country's elections – saw political parties committing themselves to a code of conduct to uphold peace during the campaign period and after the polls.
The peace pledge was prepared by NPRC to ensure there was a departure from the past, where elections were held in an environment of violence and intimidation.
"We were spreading the message of peace following the recently-held elections. In Bulawayo, the roadshows targeted the high-density suburbs," Sibanda said.
"Our message was to continue encouraging, especially the youths, to uphold peace as Zimbabwe awaits the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) judgment on the election petition."
The ConCourt started sitting yesterday to decide on a petition by the MDC Alliance, challenging the presidential elections results.
"The ZCA through the Churches Convergence on Peace Project (CCOP) has also been carrying out peace promotion initiatives to ensure that Zimbabweans are sensitised on the importance of peace as it is a crucial component to positive social and economic development," he said.
The Zimbabwe Council of Churches, Zimbabwe Divine Destiny and the ZCA were part of the CCOP project.
"The roadshows were conducted across four provinces in partnership with the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC)," ZCA director Useni Sibanda said yesterday.
The peace pledge – a first in the history of the country's elections – saw political parties committing themselves to a code of conduct to uphold peace during the campaign period and after the polls.
The peace pledge was prepared by NPRC to ensure there was a departure from the past, where elections were held in an environment of violence and intimidation.
"Our message was to continue encouraging, especially the youths, to uphold peace as Zimbabwe awaits the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) judgment on the election petition."
The ConCourt started sitting yesterday to decide on a petition by the MDC Alliance, challenging the presidential elections results.
"The ZCA through the Churches Convergence on Peace Project (CCOP) has also been carrying out peace promotion initiatives to ensure that Zimbabweans are sensitised on the importance of peace as it is a crucial component to positive social and economic development," he said.
The Zimbabwe Council of Churches, Zimbabwe Divine Destiny and the ZCA were part of the CCOP project.
Source - newsday
