No to Violence and Excessive Use of Force [Press Statement]

Created: Wednesday, 01 August 2018 19:04

It’s a sad afternoon and dark evening for Zimbabwe today.

It is regrettable that Zimbabwe(ans) and the world witnessed violent demonstrations to which a violent response was deployed against the demonstrators and passers-by along the streets of Harare today, the 1st of August 2018.

Our deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones.

As the Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe (EFZ);

• While we are aware that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has up to 5 days to publish all election results, we urge the Commission to update the nation on the outcomes of the 30th of July 2018 poll.
• While we do not condone any violent behaviour by anyone, including citizens trying to express their Constitutional rights and impatience with the announcement of all results,
• We equally do not condone the use of excessive force (another form of violence) by the security forces, the army in particular. We urge the Zimbabwe Republic Police to maintain Law and Order as per the Law.
• We urge all political parties, the leadership in particular, to provide critical leadership towards their supporters, to desist from violent expressions while channelling all grievances through the appropriate means and channels as provided by the Constitution and Laws of Zimbabwe.
• We plead with our security service to respond proportionately while upholding the right to life for all citizens during any demonstrations or public expressions.
• As the EFZ, we call upon all Christians in Zimbabwe, to raise their voices and render their hearts to the heavens and before the Lord God Almighty, in whose hands our future lies.

Let us all “seek peace and pursue it” through peaceful and non-violent means.

As the Church, we commit the nation into the Hands of Almighty God.

End//.

Issued by the National Executive Committee of the Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe (EFZ)

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