‘ZANU PF is Going Nowhere’: Mnangagwa Calls on Churches to Drive Development and Fight Drug Abuse

‘ZANU PF is Going Nowhere’: Mnangagwa Calls on Churches to Drive Development & Fight Drug Abuse!

Focus: Church-State Alliance & Social Policy  
  Location: Highfield, Harare 🇿🇼  
  Report By: Debra Matabvu / Sona Political Desk

Churches must move beyond their traditional spiritual silos and become active, frontline partners in Zimbabwe’s economic and social development. That was the resounding message from President Emmerson Mnangagwa as he addressed thousands of congregants at the National Spiritual Conference of the Johane Masowe Chishanu Church in Highfield, Harare.

A large gathering of people in prayer and worship
FAITH & POLITICS: President Mnangagwa addressed thousands of Johane Masowe Chishanu congregants in Highfield, cementing the crucial alliance between the ruling party and the apostolic sects.

The event, attended by high-ranking officials including Minister of Youth Empowerment Tino Machakaire, Presidential adviser Dr Paul Tungwarara, and Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume, saw the President intertwine social policy with undeniable political rhetoric. He called on religious organizations to tackle the scourge of drugs, pray for rain ahead of the 2026/2027 agricultural season, and reaffirmed that ZANU PF "will continue ruling."

Moving Beyond the Spiritual Realm

The President emphasized that the country’s development cannot be left to the Government alone, urging the church to act as a pillar of social stability.

A Call to Action for the Church:

Partnering in Vision 2030 “Moving ahead towards the attainment of Vision 2030, I look forward to see all the churches of our beloved motherland playing their part in the programmes and projects outlined in the National Development Strategy 2,” President Mnangagwa declared, inviting collaboration with local authorities and national clean-up campaigns.
The Fight Against Drugs Highlighting a growing national crisis, the President pleaded with the Vapostori to shield the youth: “Imi vapostori, you worship freely; let the youth stay away from drugs. Let the Church be a refuge for children fleeing from evil.” He urged scaling up programs that combat substance abuse, poverty, and crime.

Cementing the Church-State Relationship

The gathering was not purely pastoral. It served as a critical platform to reinforce the deep-rooted political relationship between the ruling party and the Apostolic faith church.

"Ruling, Ruling and Ruling" In a fiery political declaration met with cheers from the thousands in attendance, Mnangagwa stated: “ZANU PF is going nowhere; it will continue ruling, ruling and ruling, Hallelujah.”
Constitutional Amendment No. 3 The President explicitly acknowledged the Church as an invaluable political constituency, thanking the Johane Masowe Chishanu leadership for their staunch support of the political process that resulted in the enactment of Constitutional Amendment No. 3.
Freedom of Worship Guarantee In exchange for their developmental and political partnership, the State promised continuous protection: “As the Government of the people of Zimbabwe . . . we will continue to uphold the principle that churches must always have the proper freedom to worship.”

Prayers for Rain and Material Support

With weather experts warning of potential climate challenges, the President called for intensive farming and acknowledged the massive financial contributions of church elders.

Preparing for the 2026/2027 Season:

Defying El Niño Predictions “Even though those responsible for weather forecasts say there could be an El Niño, we encourage you to join other churches in the country in praying for rain,” the President urged, declaring that households must remain food self-sufficient. “Let us encourage one another wherever we are to farm intensively and fill our granaries.”
Massive Medical Donations The President commended the church for actively stepping into gaps left by the state, noting their recent donation of 570 hospital beds, 560 wheelchairs, and various other medical supplies to vulnerable communities.
Praising Madzibaba Wicknell Mnangagwa made a specific point to recognize the heavy philanthropic footprint of Johane Masowe Chishanu elder, Madzibaba Wicknell Chivhayo. His massive financial contributions to the church and the wider community remain a cornerstone of the church’s public influence.
A political rally or gathering with flags waving
THE MOBILIZATION MACHINE: Apostolic sects have historically provided massive, highly organized voting blocs for the ruling party, a dynamic that remains central to Zimbabwe's political landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions

The President addressed thousands of congregants at the National Spiritual Conference of the Johane Masowe Chishanu Church in Highfield, Harare.

Cementing the political alliance with the church, Mnangagwa stated confidently to the crowd: "ZANU PF is going nowhere; it will continue ruling, ruling and ruling, Hallelujah."

President Mnangagwa recognized the philanthropic work of the church—which donated 570 hospital beds and 560 wheelchairs—and specifically highlighted the financial contributions of Johane Masowe Chishanu elder, Madzibaba Wicknell Chivhayo.

OFFICIAL EDITORIAL VERDICT

The Symbiosis of Church and State

President Mnangagwa’s address in Highfield is a masterclass in the deeply entrenched patron-client politics that defines Zimbabwe. The relationship between ZANU PF and the Apostolic sects (Vapostori) is one of the most powerful political engines in the country. In exchange for delivering massive, highly disciplined voting blocs and public endorsements of controversial moves like Constitutional Amendment No. 3, the church receives the ultimate guarantee from the highest office: absolute freedom of worship and state protection.

Furthermore, the deliberate praise of Wicknell Chivhayo highlights a governance strategy increasingly reliant on wealthy political benefactors stepping in to fulfill basic state obligations—like providing hospital beds and wheelchairs. While the President’s call for the church to combat the very real scourge of drug abuse is timely and necessary, his declaration that "ZANU PF will continue ruling, ruling and ruling" makes it abundantly clear: in Zimbabwe, the pulpit and the ballot box are inextricably linked.

@ Sona Headlines | National News & Politics Desk

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