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Minister praises Binga folk

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Minister Eric Matinenga yesterday commended the Binga community for shunning pre and post-election violence widely witnessed in other parts of the country.

HWANGE — Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs minister Eric Matinenga yesterday commended the Binga community for shunning pre and post-election violence widely witnessed in other parts of the country.

Report by Nqobile Bhebhe

Speaking during a constitutional awareness meeting in Hwange, Matinenga said it was unfortunate that violence was flaring up with the country heading towards the referendum and harmonised elections.

“We are faced with a situation that in the run-up to elections, Zimbabweans tend to lose their senses and engage in acts of violence,” he said.

“However, the information I have indicates that Binga experiences less forms of violence compared to other parts of the country.

“That is due to strong traditional leadership there.”

Matinenga attacked some traditional leaders for taking political sides and being partisan.

“Chiefs in some areas have banned their subjects from reading certain newspapers and listening to some radio stations,” he said.

“Some have gone to the extent of blocking people from burying relatives who were supporting a different political party. That must stop, please treat people fairly.”

He said although Zimbabwe had not experienced the phenomenon of child soldiers, youths had been abused by being forced to join militias to torment political opponents.

Speaking at the same function, traditional leaders from Binga said they were not aware of what to vote for in the referendum slated for this Saturday, saying no awareness campaigns had been carried out in the area.

Other speakers dismissed the exercise as a waste of resources, adding the process should just have been concluded in Parliament to cut down on costs.