President Emmerson Mnangagwa has once again turned to the religious community for political and moral support, calling on churches to take a leading role in combating social challenges such as drug abuse, crime, bullying, and other anti-social behaviours. Addressing a large apostolic gathering this week, Mnangagwa positioned the church as a key partner in shaping the moral compass of Zimbabwean society.
The event, which drew thousands of congregants, was also attended by First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa, herself a lifelong member of the apostolic sect. Against this backdrop of spiritual symbolism and political messaging, the president urged the church to anchor Zimbabwe’s future on both faith and culture.
“I call upon you, my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, and all the Churches of our great motherland, Zimbabwe, to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, love, peace, unity and harmony. Let us raise our children and young people according to God’s word and our rich culture,” Mnangagwa declared, earning loud approval from the gathering.
Mnangagwa Courts Apostolic Support, Urges Churches to Tackle Social Ills
In his address, the president stressed that his government—referred to as the “Second Republic”—would continue to support faith-linked projects across critical sectors such as education, agriculture, and entrepreneurship. He particularly highlighted initiatives targeting women and youth, saying these groups were vital to both national development and the church’s mission.
Quoting scripture throughout his speech, Mnangagwa presented his administration as a government “rooted in Christian values,” one that remained receptive to “godly guidance.” Such framing, analysts argue, is consistent with the president’s broader effort to present himself not just as a political leader but as a father figure who safeguards both spiritual and cultural traditions.
Mnangagwa’s outreach to the Johane Masowe eChishanu sect is part of a much longer tradition within ZANU-PF politics. Since independence in 1980, the ruling party has viewed religious institutions—especially large apostolic sects with rural and peri-urban strongholds—as fertile ground for mobilisation.
Former President Robert Mugabe mastered this practice, frequently addressing gatherings of Vapostori and presenting ZANU-PF as a liberation movement ordained by God. Mnangagwa has built on this legacy, amplifying his visibility at church events and ensuring that his administration is seen in close partnership with religious leaders.
Apostolic sects, which command millions of followers across the country, are especially prized for their size, discipline, and loyalty to their leadership. In return for political support, ruling party elites have historically extended resources, land for worship shrines, and public recognition to these groups—creating a mutually beneficial patronage system.
The politicisation of churches has not been without internal controversy. Within ZANU-PF, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has criticised Mnangagwa’s heavy reliance on church loyalists, dismissing some of them as zvigananda—a Shona term meaning “bootlickers.” According to insiders, Chiwenga views the president’s alignment with religious institutions as a strategy to shore up loyalty and insulate himself from dissent within the party.
Observers note that the most recent State House event reflects Mnangagwa’s broader ED2030 Agenda, a plan seen by critics as aimed at extending his tenure beyond constitutional limits. By cultivating support from religious sects, the president positions himself as both a political shepherd and a spiritual guardian of the nation, a tactic intended to blunt opposition momentum.
Mnangagwa’s hosting of the Johane Masowe eChishanu congregants at State House illustrates how faith-based gatherings often double as political stages in Zimbabwe. While officially framed as occasions for moral guidance and community support, they are increasingly perceived as campaign platforms designed to project unity, reinforce authority, and marginalise critics.
For many citizens, the president’s message of faith, unity, and morality resonates with cultural values. Yet for others, it raises questions about the blurring of lines between religion and politics. Critics argue that while the church’s involvement in nation-building is welcome, its co-option into party politics risks undermining its independence and credibility.
The partnership between government and churches has brought some tangible benefits, such as access to land for worship and support for educational initiatives. However, it also entrenches a system in which churches act as extensions of political patronage, with loyalty to leaders often taking precedence over accountability to congregants.
Mnangagwa’s appeal to the church to help curb drug abuse and crime highlights pressing social issues, but it also underscores how political messaging is woven into spiritual gatherings. With elections always looming on the horizon in Zimbabwe’s contested political landscape, the president’s reliance on religious institutions appears set to remain a central feature of his governance style.
As the First Lady stood alongside him at the gathering, the symbolism of a united family deeply embedded in faith was clear. Yet behind the display of harmony lies a deeper reality: in Zimbabwe, the pulpit and the podium have become inseparable, and the contest for political legitimacy is increasingly being fought on religious ground.
Source- Zimeye
