HARARE - Youths in Mudzi have demanded that the coalition government institute measures to ensure that young people are protected from violence that has haunted successive elections in Zimbabwe.

They say areas such as Uzumba, Maramba and Pfungwe are particularly volatile, leaving youths vulnerable.

Speaking at an electoral rights indaba that was held at Zhuwawo village Ward 11 in Mudzi, the youths pledged to play a leading role in the democratisation process in Zimbabwe by fully participating in the electoral process.

They have begun an active campaign to urge their peers to register as voters.

About 120 youths braved the intimidating political atmosphere in Mudzi and vowed to make the voter registration exercise a success and said they will not leave any stone unturned in the build-up to the forthcoming elections.

The youths said politicians who want to use unscrupulous tactics to divide young people in the constituency will not be tolerated.

They called on traditional leaders to refuse being used by politicians by denying youths proof of residence to register as voters.

In the course of the rights indabas that have so far been held by Youth Agenda, it has been discovered that traditional leaders usually take advantage of their socio-cultural influence to make it difficult for youths to register as voters as they hold the key to the important proof of residence documents.

Mudzi is one of the areas that were engulfed by political, violence including the infamous “Long Sleeve and Short Sleeve” amputation frenzy that left hundreds handicapped and many others dead.

The Mudzi electoral rights indaba is part of a series of training programmes that are meant to equip the youths with knowledge on their right to participate in the electoral process. - Staff Writer