By Charmaine Makayi
HARARE – Zimbabwe Divine Destiny, a religious movement led by Bishop Ancelimo Magaya in collaboration with various civil society organizations has condemned reckless statements uttered by the deputy minister of Finance, Terence Mukupe and Masvingo Provincial Governor Josiah Hungwe.
Speaking at a press conference held at Media Centre, Magaya said Hungwe and Mukupe threatened and intimidated the electorate by giving reference to the past use of the army in violent campaigns.
Addressing a meeting in Chiredzi recently, Governor Hungwe said President Mnangagwa will not hesitate to shoot anyone in attempt to retain power.
On 22 May 2018 at a ZANU PF meeting in Harare East constituency, Mukupe said the military will not allow MDC Alliance Presidential candidate, Nelson Chamisa to assume power if he wins the elections.
The government, through Information Minister, Simon Khaya Moyo has since issued a statement distancing government from Mukupe’s utterances.
In his address to journalists, Bishop Magaya challenged President Mnangagwa to urgently act on Hungwe and Mukupe statements in practical ways beyond rebukes and refutals.
“What continues to dishearten and shock us as the church, civic groups and citizens is the lack of decisive action against reckless political party members by their superiors .Absence of such action drives the sad message that the superiors of these parties agree with the statements and actions by their juniors, and probably benefit from those actions,” said Magaya.
Bishop Magaya also took a swipe at the MDC for acts of intra party violence.
“The MDC appears to be developing an appetite for intra party violence as shown by isolated skirmishes. Recent booing, jeering and gibes hurled at Thokozani Khupe at the courts are a clearest indication that opposition is failing to resolve its political differences amicably,” Magaya said.
United Citizen Alliance representative, Tawanda Kalonga said the alliance is calling for peace before, during and after elections.
The press conference was also addressed by Nicholas Kativhu of the War Veterans Peace Initiative Forum who called on political parties must desist from violent activities before and after elections.
Kativhu urged all Zimbabweans to speak against violence with one voice.
“We are very worried by statements which intimidate the people of Zimbabwe. We are calling on the leadership to reign in anyone deviating from the dictates of the constitution,” said Vivid Gwede of ZimRights.
Bishop Magaya urged the Zimbabweans to join them in their series of peace marches dubbed “Walk The Talk”.
The marches are set to start on 31 May 2018.
