THE Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference (ZCBC) has pleaded with politicians not to sow seeds of enmity among the country’s citizens during campaigns for the upcoming elections.
In a statement, the ZCBC said elections come and go and communities should not be divided by their various political persuasions.
“You (politicians) have a huge responsibility for the lives of our people,” the bishops said in a recent pastoral letter.
“In these weeks you have spaces and the power to influence the citizens. Exercise this privilege responsibly.
“After all the campaigns and elections have come and gone, there remain not just party people to be governed, but the whole nation.
“If you divide the citizens now, it will be difficult to govern a divided nation.”
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Zimbabwe has of late witnessed an upsurge in cases of political violence.
A fortnight ago, an opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) supporter was allegedly killed by suspected Zanu PF activists in Harare as political temperatures keep rising.
CCC leader Nelson Chamisa and his convoy were also attacked by suspected Zanu PF activists while he was on a campaign trail in Mutasa, Manicaland.
Last week, Chamisa said the electoral playing field was tilted in favour of the ruling party.
Police have vowed to come down heavily on perpetrators of political violence.
The Catholic priests, in the pastoral letter, called for tolerance.
“Critical, defining and determining as these elections are, the contest for the highest office in the land, and other offices, should not divide us as a nation,” the bishops said.
“We are one people, imbued with inalienable rights derived from who we are: men, women, young people and children created in the image and likeness of God.”
They also pleaded with the media to avoid stoking tension ahead of the polls.
“Avoid misrepresentations and biased reporting. Be credible sources of information that people can turn to as they seek to discern who to vote for.”