By Staff ReporterCHIVI – Opposition politician Amos Chibaya has called for political tolerance among Zimbabweans, saying they may differ politically but they remain one people, united by shared humanity and the inevitability of death.Chibaya was speaking at the burial of veteran educationist Aleck Tabe (senior), father of Masvingo City Mayor Aleck Tabe, who died after serving the Ministry of Education for 42 and a half years. The funeral, held at the family’s rural home in Chivi, drew mourners from across the political divide, including Zanu PF supporters, opposition members, and ordinary villagers.Chibaya said a funeral naturally brings everyone together, and people should freely brush shoulders regardless of party affiliation.“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.He said death was imminent and unavoidable, so people should not bother each other because they are one.“Death is nonnegotiable. So while we are still here, let us avoid conflicts, especially us politicians. 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,” he said.Chibaya warned against political violence and urged people not to support politicians more than they should.“There are some who want me to go to Parliament more than I do. If I become an MP, I get a car, and I will not give you that car. Some go on to kill people for that, but the avenging spirits will haunt your family, not mine. When we go to Parliament, we share meals with MPs from other political parties. We will eat well, and from there we tell you to fight,” said Chibaya.He also made a veiled reference to the Constitutional Amendment Bill that seeks to extend the presidential term to 2030, saying no one knows their time of death.“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,” said Chibaya.Tabe junior also urged people to practice political tolerance, saying people should live like family and leave politics to politicians.“Here we have people from different parties. This should remind us that we are one community, and we will remain like that. So we should not allow politics to separate us. Let politicians do politics, and the general populace should remain united as neighbours because we borrow salt from each other,” said the Mayor.The burial was attended by several mayors, school heads, government officials, education officers, church leaders, and ordinary mourners, all gathered to pay tribute to the late educationist who had shaped many lives over his fourdecade career.
