Renowned constitutional lawyer and Seventh Day Adventist Advocate Thabani Mpofu has sparked intense debate across Zimbabwe’s political and religious landscapes with a sharp critique of the country’s moral decline under President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration. Thabani Mpofu’s message warns that materialism and hypocrisy—particularly among Zimbabwean Christians—are seriously undermining the nation’s integrity, civic responsibility, and prospects for genuine democratic progress.
Best known for representing opposition leader Nelson Chamisa in the landmark 2018 Constitutional Court election petition challenging Mnangagwa’s legitimacy, Mpofu took to social media recently to express deep concern about what he described as a pervasive spiritual and ethical decay. His comments have resonated widely, stirring both admiration and controversy.
“ZANU PF under Mnangagwa has arguably been the greatest test to Christianity in Zimbabwe,” Mpofu wrote in a widely shared post on X (formerly Twitter). “It has become clear that many Christians lack firm conviction and readily yield to prevailing trends of greed and patronage.”
Drawing a powerful comparison with the biblical figure Daniel, who famously resisted royal bribes and refused to betray his principles despite immense pressure, Thabani Mpofu accused contemporary Zimbabwean Christians of failing to uphold similar standards. “The love for material possessions is overwhelming, and professed principles are frequently abandoned when tempted by gifts—cars, houses, and other trinkets. Unlike Daniel, who stood firm against such temptations, many today find it difficult to say, ‘Let your gifts be yours, oh king.’”
Thabani Mpofu slams moral decay under Mnangagwa
He went further to argue that Christianity, rather than serving as a force for national renewal and ethical leadership, has in some ways become an obstacle to Zimbabwe’s democratic and moral liberation. “A nation whose moral heartbeat is compromised by all manner of irregularities cannot be trusted to make the right choices. We live in a society where things are only considered bad if they do not benefit us personally,” Thabani Mpofu stated, concluding his reflections with a poignant and self-critical note: “In the meantime, let me keep the Sabbath as I abandon my civic duties—poor, pitiable, and wretched soul like most. Ehe ndikoko!”
In another tweet that stirred strong religious and political sentiments, Mpofu declared, “Offering stolen money to God is an act of rebellion.” This pointed remark was widely interpreted as a direct rebuke of politically connected elites who flaunt their wealth through lavish donations to churches, while the dubious origins of their riches go unquestioned.
While Thabani Mpofu is a vocal critic of the Mnangagwa government today, his past legal work has occasionally drawn scrutiny. Notably, in 2011 he represented controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo in a dispute against the state power utility ZESA—facts that some commentators on social media have used to question his consistency.
Nonetheless, Mpofu’s principled stance on constitutionalism, justice, and public ethics in recent years has earned him respect across Zimbabwe’s often polarized political spectrum. His latest pronouncements tap into a widespread public frustration over entrenched corruption, rising poverty, and a prevailing culture of silence and complicity.
Reactions to Mpofu’s remarks have been sharply divided. Many Zimbabweans online have praised his courage and moral clarity, viewing his comments as a timely wake-up call. Conversely, some ruling party supporters accuse him of exploiting religion as a political weapon to undermine the government.
Yet for many observers, Thabani Mpofus words reflect a fundamental national crisis: a society where personal enrichment and factional loyalty frequently trump truth, justice, and shared responsibility. His critique raises urgent questions about Zimbabwe’s spiritual health and the role of faith in public life.
As Zimbabwe approaches a turbulent political season, voices like Mpofu’s continue to challenge citizens to reflect on the nation’s values and future direction. The moral decay he highlights threatens not only political stability but the very soul of the country.
In closing, Mpofu’s reflections echo the biblical narrative of Exodus 12:35-36, where the Israelites, under Moses’ leadership, asked the Egyptians for silver, gold, and clothing. The Lord made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward them, and they plundered the Egyptians—an image of liberation achieved through divine favour and courage, rather than through bribery or moral compromise.
Zimbabwe today faces a similar crossroads: will its people and leaders choose integrity and collective progress, or will they continue to succumb to the allure of material gain and fractured loyalties? Thabani Mpofu’s critique compels a nation-wide reckoning with these critical questions.
Source- Bulawayo24
