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What if there was peace in Zimbabwe?
Zimbabwe Liberators' Platform (ZLP)
April 27, 2003

The people of Zimbabwe have not enjoyed peace since they rejected the ZANU PF drafted Constitution in the February 2000 referendum. Shocked by the loss of popular support, ZANU PF adopted the violent land invasions as a political election gimmick.

The Zimbabwe Liberators Platform, a non-partisan organisation whose core business is to advocate and promote peace, democracy, good governance and development, would like to remind the Zimbabwean public of the value and benefits of peace in a national environment.

Imagine what Zimbabwe would be and feel like if there was peace.

Peace would mean the absence of conflict and freedom from war. There would be tranquility, harmony, quiet, calm, freedom and peace of mind.

Peace would mean freedom from repressive legislation such as the Public Order and Security Act (POSA) and Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA). In freedom, people express themselves freely through art, writing, speeches, performing arts and film. Free expression develops and promotes culture and cultural values.

Peace would mean that hospitals and mortuaries would not be filled with victims of political violence perpetrated by green bombers, political thugs and some brutal police elements.

Peace would remove the need for citizens to seek shelter in safe houses. The number of internally displaced citizens/persons continues to soar because of the increase in levels of violence.

Peace would promote tolerance of divergent views, peaceful political activity and respect for human rights as well as foster dialogue as the channel for resolving conflicts and differences of opinion.

Peace would reduce crime and corruption. Shortages of basic commodities and political violence have fuelled lawlessness, banditry, kangaroo courts, a culture of violence, plunder, looting, rape and wanton murders.

Peace would mean that the education system would not have collapsed and teaching/learning would not be disrupted. Textbooks and teaching aids would be available while teachers would be sufficiently remunerated, thus reducing the need for them to leave the country for greener pastures. Teachers have been intimidated and humiliated.

Peace would mean that the health delivery system would not have collapsed. Drugs and equipment would be available and medical personnel would not be leaving the country in droves.

Peace would mean a fairer distribution of wealth. Those with the "right political connections" should not enrich themselves at the expense of the majority. Stripping of the nation's assets is being conducted in the name of indigenisation.

Peace would increase the country’s national economic output and benefits that would follow from it. A robust economy would reduce the country's hyperinflation and bring prices of commodities to manageable levels.

Peace would create an environment conducive to building the economy and such infrastructure as roads, bridges, dams, schools, hospitals, factories etc.

Peace would create an environment conducive to farming. Farmers need peace to profitably work the land and feed the nation, provide inputs for industry, generate foreign currency and increase employment.

Peace would attract foreign and local investment while encouraging existing businesses to expand, thus creating employment and contributing towards the national fiscus.

Peace would attract tourists who bring in foreign currency which is badly needed to procure fuel, electricity, drugs, water treatment chemicals etc.

Peace would significantly reduce the 25% of national income currently being channeled to the security forces and their upkeep, to peacetime levels of around 5%.

Peace would enable Zimbabwe to solicit assistance in the form of grants, loans, balance of payments support, bilateral and multilateral aid as well as goodwill.

Peace would restore the transport system, ranging from Air Zimbabwe, National Railways of Zimbabwe, ZUPCO, commuter omnibuses to private motor vehicles, and get the nation working again instead of chasing its tail looking for spares for dilapidated motor vehicles aeroplanes, trains etc.

Peace would foster better relations with the country’s neighbours and the international community. The benefits that would accrue from those relations range from political and economic to cultural, scientific and educational exchanges.

Peace would help develop and nurture national values which would then be passed on to future generations. Core values should include democracy, integrity, fundamental freedoms, hard work, peace, the truth, respect for the rule of law, human rights, property rights, human life and African culture.

Peace would free the police from manning politically induced roadblocks and controlling queues to spending more time fighting crime. If there was peace and democracy, the police force would be independent, impartial and professional, applying the law without fear or favour.

Peace would make leaders accountable to the people in all walks of life including churches, schools, business, politics etc, and restore respect for traditional Zimbabwean values.

Peace would release the people’s latent mental energies so that they become creative, innovative and inventive. Creativity, innovativeness and inventiveness are important vehicles for development.

Peace is key to national development and prosperity.

Imagine if there was peace in Zimbabwe.

Visit the ZLP fact sheet

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