Zim political parties share platform on violence

Senior party officials from the MDC National Council, the Zanu PF Central Committee and executive of the political formation led by Professor Welshman Ncube met today in Harare to find ways on how best to end the increasing political violence in the country.

The three principals to the Global Political Agreement (GPA), President Tsvangirai, Robert Mugabe of Zanu PF and Professor Ncube gave keynote addresses at the historic meeting.

The meeting was organised by the Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee (Jomic) and was aimed at ensuring that the three political parties stick to Article 3 and Article 18 of the GPA, which states that all parties should shun violence and not turn political differences into hostilities.

There was consensus among the three principals for security agents especially the police to provide adequate security to all citizens irrespective of their political affiliation and not for them to be enemies of the people.

The police have in the last month banned or disrupted MDC meetings across the country.  Four MDC-T rallies were disrupted in Nkayi, Lupane, and Victoria Falls in Matebeleland North at the end of last month where President Tsvangirai was the main speaker.

Two other MDC-T rallies were disrupted by alleged Zanu PF youths and the police in Harare North and Chitungwiza where MDC-T supporters were assaulted while others were arrested although the known perpetrators are yet to be apprehended.

MDC-T secretary-general, Tendai Biti said there was need to come up with a declaration that would factor in 10 pertinent issues that will result in the end violence in the country.
 
These issues include;

1.    No to violence where Zimbabweans sign an oath against violence;
2.    Show sincerity- Politicians should walk the talk against violence and act in a Nicodemus manner;
3.    Tolerance;
4.    That we should be aware that we are all Zimbabweans;
5.    Need for freedom of expression, assembly and choice;
6.    Need for a tolerant leadership;
7.    Vision;
8.    Security agents should serve all Zimbabweans;
9.    Spirituality; and
10.    That the issue of curbing violence should cascade to the branches and cells across the country where the violence is most prevalent.

"Let us act now, together and differently.  It cannot be business as usual," Biti said.

Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga of the Ncube formation and Didymus Mutasa of Zanu PF also addressed at the meeting.