Back to Index

Minimum conditions for elections in Zimbabwe: Norton residents have spoken
Heal Zimbabwe Trust
March 20, 2012

"We understand and appreciate the work Heal Zimbabwe is doing but this is just a drop in the ocean considering the lack of insincerity by political leaders to uphold peace . . . We want these peace building activities to be broadcasted nationally just like the jingles are done on the national television . . . ." Mr. Kunonga, from Norton giving his views on what should be done before any call for elections.

The recent call for a possibility of holding national elections this year has sparked debate across the country with many people expressing reservations as elections in Zimbabwe have been synonymous to violence. Informed by this, Heal Zimbabwe has embarked on a public consultative campaign to tap views of the ordinary citizens on what they think should be the minimum conditions for holding free and fair elections in Zimbabwe.

On 16 March 2012, HZT met up with Norton residents at Ngoni hall. The residents had an opportunity to air their views on what they think should be done before elections in Zimbabwe. Below are some of the views:

Zimbabwe as a country has proved beyond any reasonable doubt that it has failed to uphold peace before during and after elections, what we now want is the intervention of the International Community where they come and ensure there is peace in the country and they should not leave until there is a smooth transfer of power to the winner. By that we will be guaranteed of peace. The security forces should desist from acting as political appendages and become impartial and apolitical in the conduct of their duties as many of them behave as if they are ZANU PF secretariat. The justice delivery system should make sure that all perpetrators of political violence including the President are prosecuted before any call for elections. The call for peace should start at family level then transferred to the community at large. The Zimbabwean situation calls for an all inclusive approach where all relevant stakeholders should pledge to uphold peace and stability in the country. The stakeholders should include the police, churches, traditional leaders and all political party members. The Government should empower unemployed youth through capacity building activities as they are the ones used as stone throwers during the election period. We can only talk of elections after a truth and reconciliation exercise but this exercise can only be done after all perpetrators of political violence are brought before the justice delivery system.

Visit the Heal Zimbabwe fact sheet

Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.

TOP