Pastors pray for peaceful polls
OVER 300 international pastors from different denominations have been praying for peace and unity in Zimbabwe as the country heads for harmonised elections on July 30.
The pastors met at the Korean and African Pastors United Conference (KAPUC), which started on July 9 and ended yesterday at the Dutch Hall in Harare.
Founder of KAPUC Pastor Daniel (Roksu Noh) of South Korea encouraged Zimbabweans to heed President Mnangagwa’s call for peace and unity before, during and after elections.
Speaking during the conference KAPUC director Reverend David Mudimba said it was important that churches come together during this time to pray for Zimbabwe.
“The purpose of our meeting is praying for the nation of Zimbabwe,
He said as the nation braces for the harmonised elections, the force urges all political parties, candidates and their supporters to observe peace and the rule of law during the campaigning period.
He said generally peace was prevailing throughout the country and commended members of the public for taking heed of the call for peace by President Mnangagwa.
“Members of the public, political parties, their candidates and supporters are once again reminded to take heed of the peace message and zero tolerance to violence which has been constantly reiterated by His Excellency, Cde ED Mnangagwa.
“Members of the public are urged to report any political acts of intimidation, threats or violence, defacing or tearing of campaign posters to any nearest police station for swift action to be taken by the police,” he said.
Last week, police said it will deal with all cases of politically motivated violence regardless of perpetrators’ political affiliation. its future and to have successful elections,” said Reverend Mudimba.
“When peace starts with spiritual leaders then it will manifest in everyone. If as pastors we are united, then our political leaders and the electorate will unite as well.
“We are praying for peace and we hope to see it reflecting. The forth coming elections should be peaceful, free and fair.”
He also urged Zimbabweans to accept the outcome of the elections keeping in mind that ‘the voice of the people is the voice of God’.
“We believe that God is the one who appoints and lifts leaders for us, so in these elections may we experience God’s spirit, power and unity,” said Reverend Mudimba.
Most churches have been coming together to pray for the new dispensation and have also joined President Mnangagwa in calling for peace ahead of the elections.
Speaking at an event organised by the Zimbabwe Peace Project titled “Dialogue with Political Parties – Making blocks for Peace Work: Zimbabwe Elections 2018”, Snr Asst Comm Makodza said no one was immune to prosecution.
He said that was the stance adopted by the force and it was not going back on it.
Snr Asst Comm Makodza challenged citizens with outstanding cases to bring them forward, saying the police, “had enough handcuffs”.
He said he had personally engaged the national director of public prosecutions and requested him to appoint seasoned senior prosecutors, saying on their part, police had appointed seasoned and experienced detectives to be involved in the investigations of the cases.
Snr Asst Comm Makodza said the police’s function in the elections would be guided by the Constitution and police officers who fail to deal with such cases would be brought before tribunals.