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By Nhau Mangirazi
HURUNGWE – United Apostolic Faith Church Arch Bishop Busani Sibanda has called on political party supporters to be tolerant ahead of next year’s general elections.
Speaking in an interview during the Women’s Conference at Kasimure Business Centre last weekend, Sibanda called on voters’ rights to be respected.
Kasimure is within Hurungwe Ward 6, Hurungwe East constituency.
‘‘The church is there to preach for peace and social cohesion among the citizens. It is our role to reach out to the general populace to be tolerant of each other despite political differences. We want peace now during the election and after the elections. We are all Zimbabweans besides different political persuasions,’’ he said.
Sibanda added that it is everyone’s democratic right to elect leaders of their choice.
‘‘We call on citizens to resolve their political differences according to the laws of the land. No one must use violence as a political tool against his or her opponent. As churches, it is our mandate to preach for peace amongst communities so that we build trust in those elected into public offices. No one must resolve their differences through violence. That reverses the developmental gains made after independence,’’ added Sibanda.
He further called on the electorate to vote for office bearers without fear ahead of next year’s general elections.
‘‘We urge people to register to vote so that they can elect their representatives without being forced or under duress. As a church, we want free, fair, and credible elections where we all shun violence,’’ said Sibanda.
Local councillor, Smart Sengere admitted that some churches have not benefited from the building stands, a development that saw the women’s conference held in open space.
‘‘On behalf of Hurungwe rural district council, I want to assure you that any church can apply for a stand so that these meetings are held in a better place than an open space. Get yourself organized so that the paperwork is done and the church gets its stand here at Kasimure business centre,’’ said Sengere.
Winnie Chiteto of Beatrice called on the government to extend developmental projects among churches, especially targeting women and youths.
‘‘We appeal to the government to help women in churches with income-generating projects that safeguard livelihoods among widows and youths. These can also be extended to those with disabilities,’’ she said.
The three-day women’s conference was done under the theme Revival Debora Arise and had women drawn from Hurungwe 17 districts.
Some came as far as Bikita, Murehwa, Rutenga and Beit Bridge among other places around the country.