Published by the government of Zimbabwe
16 May 2008
Harare — Security chiefs and church leaders have agreed to work towards the promotion of peace in the run-up to the country's presidential poll rerun.
This emerged after a lengthy meeting between several church leaders, led by Bishop Trevor Manhanga, and Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces General Constantine Chiwenga, Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri and a representative from the President's Office.
It is understood that General Chiwenga appealed to the church leaders to urge their congregations to work towards peace while political parties were also implored to impress upon their supporters to desist from violence. Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri told the church leaders that political parties should play their part in the anti-violence campaign by urging their supporters to refrain from violence.
According to Bishop Manhanga, Comm-Gen Chihuri said he was disturbed at the daily reports of violence brought to his office. "He indicated to us that the police met with various groups as well as Zanu-PF and had written to the MDC, indicating that they should refrain from actively encouraging their members to be involved in acts of politically motivated violence," Bishop Manhanga said.
The police chief is also said to have encouraged the parties involved to desist from reacting to acts of provocation in a violent manner.
Bishop Manhanga said Comm-Gen Chihuri explained that police could only urge political parties to shun violence as they were not in command of party structures.
"Commissioner-General Chihuri also stated that a meeting had been held with war veterans to tell them not to engage in fresh farm invasions," the bishop said.
Comm-Gen Chihuri told the church leaders that both Zanu-PF and the MDC had bases in provinces where acts of violence were being committed.
He indicated police were in the process of dismantling the bases.
The church leaders raised concerns on why the perpetrators of political violence were not being brought to book.
"The Commissioner-General of Police stated that this was also a concern to the ZRP as the sentences meted out to
those convicted were inadequate and did not serve as a deterrent," Bishop Manhanga said.
The meeting acknowledged that politically motivated violence affected members of both parties and caused damage to property.
The church leaders registered their concern over incidents of politically motivated violence reported in some parts of the country.
Zimbabwe held joint presidential, parliamentary and council elections on March 29 in a peaceful environment but sporadic outbreaks of violence -- blamed on both the MDC-T and Zanu PF -- have characterised the aftermath of the polls.
Bishop Manhanga said the church leaders sought clarification on a number of issues, including the cause of the violence, who the perpetrators were and possible solutions.
"Members of the Joint Operations Command gave a very detailed overview of the historical context of where we have come from and where we are today. It was made clear by members of JOC that in the current context there has been violence committed by both parties -- Zanu-PF and the MDC - though they felt Zanu-PF has reacted due to provocation," said Bishop Manhanga.
Gen Chiwenga said all forms of violence should be condemned. He said as the country gears for the presidential election run-off, people must understand that there would be one winner whose election should be respected.
Gen Chiwenga gave an overview of the role of the ZDF in upholding peace at home and in the region.
"He said it was a fallacy to say there has been a coup in Zimbabwe. He said the ZDF has accepted and respected the constitutional process in Zimbabwe in the past and would continue to do so," said Bishop Manhanga.
The church leaders advocated the promulgation of a policy of zero tolerance to politically motivated violence.
The Zimbabwe Defence Forces and the police have been at the forefront of peacekeeping missions throughout the world, including its campaigns in Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Kosovo, among other hotspots.
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