Farai Dziva|Masvingo based NGO, COTRAD has stepped up efforts to eradicate political violence in rural communities.

This follows reports of intimidation of opposition supporters by Zanu PF members before the Bikita East By-election.

Read below the COTRAD statement:

COTRAD held a District Peace Tournament in Masvingo Central at Zivezano Grounds.

The tournament saw 5 teams from wards, 16, 17 and 18 battling it out in soccer and netball competitions.

The tournament which featured (5) local soccer and (5) Netball teams (Chevanhu, Zivezano, Chekai, Rambakutemwa and Makoni) was attended by the traditional leaders, councilors, businessmen/women, school authorities and representatives of political parties.

Speaking during the tournament the participants applauded the peace building initiative for bringing people together despite their political differences. The nonpartisan peace tournaments unifies people from different political and religious background, by coming together deliberating on social, political and economic issues affecting their communities, interacting together, greeting each other and playing together.

It is important to note that Masvingo Province is one of the political violence hotspot during the previous elections. The peace clubs and committee members emphasized peace messages and distribute peace related information materials during the tournament. COTRAD will increase peace club membership to mitigate social conflict and also to improve public officials’ engagement.