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The Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) has intensified its call for peace and mental health awareness as the country heads towards the December 9 by-elections.
The program, which started in Manicaland, has now touched 8 provinces, with Mashonaland East being the latest as the church seeks to tackle mental health illness to curb political violence.
Speaking at a recent post election reflection meeting in Marondera on Wednesday, a participant, Reverend Jokonya from Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe (UMP) district, said the church is engaging political parties and their supporters to foster peace ahead of the scheduled by-elections.
He also said the church has been participating in mental health awareness programs to erase the rift caused by elections within community members and political parties by providing counseling both in person and online using the ZCC Toll Free number.
“We are engaging political leaders through our toll free number that works nationwide, so that we maintain peace after the August general election, and also ensure that the upcoming by-election scheduled for next month will be peaceful,” said Jokonya.
Another participant, Reverand Sarah Kuzara from Chikomba district, said the church is working hard to restore broken relationships caused by political intolerance, which manifested itself in the just ended August harmonized elections.
Reverand Sarah Kuzara from Chikomba district
“During the workshop, we were looking at how people are copying up after the general election and their mental health. Some people now have sour relations, so as ZCC, we want to restore the broken relationships,” she said.
Pastors, church leaders, women, youths and women forums from different areas like Chikomba, Mutoko, Mudzi, Murehwa, Wedza, and the remaining districts were delegates who attended the ZCC Mashonaland east post election reflection workshop in Marondera.
Currently, ZCC is working tirelessly on its mental health and peace building initiative to cover the remaining provinces, so that the upcoming plebiscite will be peaceful.