Mutare hails peaceful pre-election environment

MUTARE residents have hailed the peaceful pre-election environment obtaining in the province and country in general, and quickly gave credit to the Government, law enforcement agents and political parties for preaching unity.

With 17 days left to the plebiscite, the country is stable, save for a few incidences of intra-party political violence linked to factionalism.

The Manica Post went on to the streets and interviewed people on the impending elections.

Sheila Marange from Dangamvura said all was calm.

“We have never experienced such a peaceful pre-election environment since 1980. In previous elections the two major political parties, ZANU-PF and the MDC did not see eye-to-eye, resulting in violent skirmishes that resulted in loss of lives. That was then. Today people are campaigning freely without any hindrance. The levels of tolerance are high,” she said.

Marange said it was her wish that the obtaining conditions remain in place even after the announcement of the results.

Joel Mutero from Chikanga said Zimbabweans were behaving well.

“Had it been the last pre-election season in 2013, a lot of people would have been hurt. I actually suffered in political violence back then. However, this time around, we are guaranteed that no life is going to be lost. We are even sticking our posters freely. They are not being removed,” he said.

Mutero said he was looking forward to a