Chiefs call for continued peace as Matabeleland South gears for December by-election Chief Masendu

Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]

TRADITIONAL leaders in Matabeleland South have called for peace as the country heads towards by-elections next month, following the recalling of Citizen for Coalition Change (CCC) legislators.

The chiefs said citizens have to maintain the same political maturity that they displayed during the August Harmonised Elections where President Mnangagwa convincingly won the Presidential Election securing 52,6 percent of the vote ahead of his closest opponent CC leader Mr Nelson Chamisa who got 44 percent. In Matabeleland South Province a by-election will be held for the Beitbridge West parliamentary seat which remained vacant after CCC legislator, Mr Morgan Ncube was recalled.

Five candidates successfully filed the papers at the nomination court which was conducted at the Gwanda Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. They are Cde Thusani Ndou of Zanu-PF, Mr Morgan Ncube of CCC, Ms Thoriso  Moyo of Zapu and Mr Brendan Blessing Dube who is an independent candidate.

Chief Sitaudze from Beitbridge urged political parties to conduct their vote mobilisation processess in a peaceful manner. He said the electorate has to follow suit by casting their votes in a peaceful manner.

“We have a by-election coming up and that doesn’t mean that people have to resort to violence in order to achieve their desired outcomes. Campaigns must be conducted peacefully as well as the voting process. Violence has a negative impact on the development of our nation and let’s not sabotage ourselves as we are working towards the attainment of Vision 2030. Our district is one area that will be holding a by-election and therefore let’s be exemplary,” he said.

Chief Masendu from Bulilima District said peace should remain a norm in the nation not only during the election but at all times.

“It’s pleasing to see how we have developed as a nation in terms of upholding peace and this should become our norm and culture beyond the electoral process. Violence in any part of the country affects the entire nation. As community members, we have to take a stand and speak strongly against violence. Whenever we see others instigating violence we shouldn’t follow them,” he said.

Chief Bango from Mangwe District commended stakeholders who continue to partner Government in carrying out programmes across the nation to promote the upholding of peace during the election and beyond. Promoting peace within communities, he said, is a continuous process. Chief Bango said it is important for citizens of the country to make upholding peace a daily endeavour.

“Let’s all endeavour to maintain and uphold peace at all times. If we all take it upon ourselves to be peaceful without anyone pushing us then we will progress as a nation. We should bear in mind that despite our ethnic backgrounds, geographic location and political affiliation we are one nation and that’s a crucial unifying factor,” he said.

@DubeMatutu

 

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