NO MORE BLOOD BATH – CHURCHES

MUTARE – Churches and civic organization groups in Manicaland have said they do not want to see another blood bath in the impending demonstrations calling the country’s big political parties – Zanu PF and MDC Alliance to engage in serious and genuine talks.
This came out in an emotionally charged Press conference organised by the Civic Society and Church Joint Forum (CSCJF) in Mutare on Friday.
The organizations expressed grave fears that the anticipated demonstrations being called for by workers union bodies and the MDC Alliance party might be the worst in the country’s history considering the continuous ailing economy that is affecting most Zimbabweans.
In August last year and January this year Zimbabweans embarked on massive demonstrations in protest of sinking economy that resulted in scores of people dying while hundreds were injured.
Property worth millions of dollars was destroyed.
Pastor Kudzanai Musono said: “lt is high time we should set aside political differences. This time the two big parties (MDC and Zanu PF) must now create a platform for genuine dialogue and address the issues at hand,” he said.
We do not want another blood bath. We know what happened in the previous demonstrations. As churches we are now praying for peace,” Kamusono said.
Pastor Edmore Nyatoti said the country has been overwhelmed by greediness and selfishness from political leaders.
No more violence. Our nation is made up of majority of Christians and we do not want violence. The Zanu PF and MDC parties must shun evils. This nation must not be a platform for experiments by the leaders. Two people (Chamisa and Mnangagwa) who are the top leaders must now work together in order to bring peace,” he said.
The CSCJF national coordinator Abgail Mupambi said demonstrations had huge consequences and sad aftermaths.
Many have died and others were left injured with permanent scars. Many have lost property worth millions of dollars in the process, ” she said.
Our constitution talks of peaceful demonstration but there is nothing like peaceful demonstration,” Mupambi said.
“There is need to avoid the blood bath by pressing the country’s leadership to have discussions of crucial issues that give right to life. The blood that was shed is enough,” she said.
The churches and civic organizations have set aside June as a peace month in Manicaland.