Former Mkoba North MP Amos Chibaya has urged Zimbabweans to embrace political tolerance, saying while they may differ in politics, they are bound together by a shared humanity — and by death.
Chibaya was speaking at the burial of veteran educationist Aleck Tabe senior, father of Masvingo City Mayor Aleck Tabe, who died after 42 and a half years of service in the Ministry of Education.
The funeral, held at the family’s rural home in Chivi, drew mourners from across the political spectrum. ZANU PF supporters, opposition members and ordinary villagers stood side by side to pay their respects.
“Here we are at a funeral. A funeral brings everyone together. We have ZANU PF supporters, CCC members, and my party, led by Nelson Chamisa. So you can lean on each other; it doesn’t matter. We are at a funeral,” said Chibaya.
Death, he said, is inescapable and comes to us all; there is no need for division, because we are one.
“Death is non-negotiable. So while we are still here, let us avoid conflicts, especially us politicians,” he said.
“Politics and church are the same: if you go to the Reformed Church, there is God; if you go to the Roman Catholic Church, there is God. That is what we should do.”
Chibaya also made a veiled reference to the Constitutional Amendment Bill, which seeks to extend the presidential term to 2030, saying no one knows when they will die.
“No one is spared when death comes. We may have our wishes, but God may not want that. You may think that in 2030 you will be there; God may say you will not be there. I am not referring to anyone, I am just saying,” he said.
Several mayors, headteachers, government officials, education officers, church leaders and ordinary mourners attended the burial to pay tribute to the late educationist, who had shaped countless lives during his four-decade career.
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