Zanu PF campaign incenses church

Comment & Analysis
BY CLAYTON MASEKESAMUTARE — The Africa Apostolic Faith Mission has criticised Zanu PF leaders who bulldoze their way at religious gatherings in order to preach party politics. Leader of the church, Isaiah Murove  said  partisan traditional leaders and apostolic sects who were openly and “blindly” glorifying Zanu PF were working against God’s word.

“We worship God and not politicians,” he said. “Our church has no room for politicians as we are apostles of God and not apostles of Zanu PF. He said time would come when political leaders would face their “judgement day”

“God has a way of doing things,” said Murove. “He hears our prayers for a better Zimbabwe. He will wipe out our tears when the time comes. The chosen one will lead this country.”

Zanu PF political leaders in Manicaland have been openly campaigning at apostolic sects gatherings as competition for voters ahead of elections later this year or in 2013 hots up.

Party heavy weights  such as Women’s League boss Oppah Muchinguri, secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa, provincial governor Chris Mushohwe and provincial chairman Mike Madiro, among others, have been attending various church services being held by the apostolic sects that include Johanne Marange, Masowe weChishanu and Africa Apostolic Faith Mission among others where they have been selling their political manifestos.

One of the faction leader of Johanne Marange, Noah Taguta last year invited President Robert Mugabe to  the church’s Passover. Top Zanu PF leadership in other parts of the country, notably national political commissar Webster Shamu, regularly addresses  apostolic sects’ gatherings while bare-footed and clad in church gowns as they try to win support for the party.