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Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his rival, opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa, are reportedly likely to meet face-to-face – for the first time - before the upcoming elections.
According to New Zimbabwe.com, this could be possible if plans by a local church group to bring together all contesting presidential candidates are fruitful.
The Catholic Church-run Silveira House in partnership with other churches have indicated that they are organising a multi-party gathering for all the 23 presidential candidates.
The plan is aimed at preserving peace and "inculcating a sense of political tolerance" ahead of the crunch elections.
"The presence of the presidential candidates in a single space with each one of them addressing the same audience will be of actual and symbolic significance, one that will imprint itself on the political psyche of those present and those following the event through the media," New Zimbabwe quoted Father Fredrick Chiromba, one of the organisers of the meeting, as saying.
5.5 million expected to vote
A NewsDay report said that candidates would be allowed to address the gathering and outline their various manifestoes.
"Our role is to promote peace and the message to all political players is to desist from violence," the report quoted Chirombo as saying.
Zimbabweans are set to go to the polls on July 30.
At least 5.5 million registered voters are expected to cast they ballots.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) and African Union (AU) have both sent observer teams to the election - the first since long-time ruler Robert Mugabe was ousted in 2017, AFP reported.
Previous elections under Mugabe were marred by fraud and intimidation.
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