By Yvonne Manjengwa

Harare – Heal Zimbabwe is greatly concerned by the use of the slogans that have potential of inciting political violence by political parties particularly by the ruling party and MDC-T.

Slogans such as “Pasi neMDC…” (Down with MDC) and “chihurumende che ZANU PF mudenga, icho varoverei pasi!” (Lift the ZANU PF government up, crash it down hard) incite hate and animosity among political players.

Heal Zimbabwe is greatly concerned that while the various leaders of these political parties have openly denounced political violence on one hand, their party systems and structures appear to celebrate violence via slogans.

It is against such a background that political parties must therefore start inculcating a new political culture within their supporters that underscores the need for peace and political tolerance.

Under its National Peace campaign dubbed: 13 Million Voices for Peace aimed at campaigning for peaceful 2018 elections, Heal Zimbabwe will engage the various political parties on the need to make public pledges for peace.

The pledges will be used to hold the political parties to account in the event that they backtrack on previous pledges for peace.

As the nation prepares for the 2018 elections, Heal Zimbabwe also calls on the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) to develop and implement programmes that promote national healing, unity and cohesion in Zimbabwe.

In addition, the NPRC must, in consultation with civil society and other relevant stakeholders develop mechanisms for early detection of areas of potential conflicts and disputes and take appropriate preventive measures to ensure that the 2018 elections are conducted in a peaceful environment.