By Edward Makuzva
Harare, Zimbabwe (News of The South) – Head of State and Commander in Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said his government remained committed working with the churches in unity and for developmental purposes, but those who wished to join politics from the church must leave it and be free to form their own political parties.
President Mnangagwa said this during Wednesday’s Zanu PF 343th Politburo meeting at party headquarters.
The Commander in Chief added that the party and government have a history of working well with the church but it was appalling to note that there clergymen are seeking to sabotage national interests through the pulpit.
“In the post-independence period, we continue to work well with the church to advance the national development agenda, as a united people. However, it is most unfortunate when men of the cloth begin to use the pulpit to advance a nefarious agenda for detractors.
“We remain committed to working well with the Church to advance the national development agenda as a united people. Those who want to enter the political realm are welcome to do so. They must come out and form political parties”, President Mnangagwa explained.
President Mnangagwa was responding to the statement issued by the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishop’s Conference (ZCBC) through its president Archbishop Charles Ndlovu, who blasted Zimbabwean government’s for continued abusing human rights and r
corruption, leading Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa to label them “genocidal and evil-minded”.
Speaking on the same issue, Justice minister, Legai and Parliamentary Affairs, Ziyambi Ziyambi said the pastoral letter makes numerous accusations of a very serious nature of against an elected and constitutionally established government, without providing any specific detail on any of the alleged transgressions.
Ziyambi added that, Catholic Church would seek to lend their voices and influence in support of the efforts government is making to heal the deep polarisation which persists in our country, to unify the nation as one under God and to work to improve the lives and livelihoods of all those who call Zimbabwe home.
” The impression created, therefore is that the authors did not fully apply their minds to the various issues areas they raise.
” Rather the letter appears to be crafted by persons whose intention it was to level as many allegations as possible with an overall objective of simply smearing and ridiculing the government of Zimbabwe”, Ziyambi added.
Ziyambi highlighted that given this unfortunate situation and the resultant controversy, it is necessary that the government communicates it’s general observations and responds to the issues raised by the Bishops.
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