Political parties that gathered for a Bulawayo Progressive Residents’ Association peace rally on Sunday denounced political violence.
Speaking at the rally, Welshman Ncube- led MDC Bulawayo provincial spokesperson Edwin Ndlovu said people should not die or kill for their political parties.
“It is senseless for people to go and kill for their political party or in the name of their party’s president because this will not lead to any positive change that they are vying for,” he said.
“Do not kill or fight for your political party and its leader, what people should be doing is debating on the streets, walking beside each other, while wearing their party T-shirts sharing ideas peacefully without force or intimidation.”
MDC-T spokesperson for Bulawayo Mandla Sibanda said violence did not contribute to progress or development in the nation, but only further divided the people.
His sentiments were echoed by Zapu director for logistics in the southern region Patron Nketa who said the elderly should caution youths against violence of any sort.
The rally, however, had no speaker representing Zanu PF.
President Robert Mugabe (Zanu PF), Prime Minister Tsvangirai (MDC-T) and Ncube last month addressed senior members of their respective parties saying “endemic” political violence had to end ahead of the next elections.
