THOUSANDS of Vapostori and MaZion for ED members gathered for a national prayer in Chitungwiza where they turned the congregation into a President Emmerson Mnangagwa show, chanting slogans calling for him to stay in office beyond his mandated two-year term.
Mnangagwa has been accused of using acolytes and party structures to test the waters for his bid to extend his term in office after the controversial August 2023 harmonised elections.
His supporters have since coined the slogan: “VaMnangagwa vanenge vachipo kusvika 2030 (Mnangagwa will be with us till 2030)” raising fears that he is trying to go beyond 2028 when his second term expires.
The Zimbabwean Constitution, however, does not allow an individual to lead the nation beyond two presidential terms.
During the opening and closing prayers, the church members indicated that Mnangagwa should continue leading Zimbabwe.
The church members chanted ED 2030 slogans and sang praising and acknowledging Mnangagwa’s term extension.
Mnangagwa, who was expected to address the gathering, however, sent Vice-President Kembo Mohadi as he reportedly withdrew at the last minute due to other commitments.
The national prayer was also attended by Zanu PF national chairperson Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, national political commissar Munyaradzi Machacha and other senior party leaders.
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In his opening prayer, an apostolic sect leader said: “We are praying that President Emmerson Mnangagwa should remain in power.”
Addressing the gathering, the apostolic churches’ spokesperson Obey Mapuranga said: “We have gathered here to celebrate President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s win in last year’s elections and we are saying he should remain in power and God wants him to remain in power,” he said.
“On June 3, 2023, we gathered at the Zimbabwe Grounds were President Emmerson Mnangagwa attended and we promised him our votes.”
Vapostori for ED leader Moses Gwasira said he was happy that Mnangagwa retained power.
“We are happy that we have fulfilled our promises and President Emmerson Mnangagwa has managed to retain power and we will continue to support him,” he said.
In his speech, Mohadi applauded the churches for voting resoundingly for Zanu PF.
“I want to thank the churches for voting for Zanu PF last year. My President was supposed to be here but he has other pressing commitments. When we won independence we said we should have freedom of worship,” he said.
“I heard your problems that you do not have places to worship. l am going to discuss the matter with our President. l am told councils are evicting (you) so l am saying they should stop it, these are opposition-led councils.”
Zanu PF provincial chairperson Godwills Masimirembwa applauded the churches for fulfilling their promises by voting for Mnangagwa.
“I want to thank the church for voting for President Emmerson Mnangagwa and you have fulfilled your promises,” he said.
“We should remain vigilant as our President Emmerson Mnangagwa is in the driving seat. So, take it easy but let us safeguard ourselves from our enemies.”
