Tsvangirai unmoved by plot to bar him from church meeting

The Zion Christian Church (ZCC) invited Tsvangirai to a meeting over the weekend, where it is understood that Vice President John Nkomo was among the invited guests, and that the politicians were expected to speak about national healing and reconciliation.

Tsvangirai had plans to address the issue at the meeting and Maridadi explained that: He was invited unsolicited, they sent him an invite unsolicited and he obliged and said it was an opportunity for him to visit the area and also to preach the gospel of national healing.

However on Friday the Prime Minister was told of the cancelation. On Tuesday Maridadi said he cannot elaborate on why it was cancelled, however its been reported that state security agents threatened and intimidated the church with unspecified action, with a senior ZCC source saying there was so much intimidation that they had to cancel the programme.

The Prime Minister gets invitations from various churches and, according to Maridadi he will still make an effort to attend meetings to address members of religious groups. Churches are a very important stakeholder in the whole matrix of things. If there is an opportunity for political leaders to come and talk about national healing and reconciliation, I think it is welcome, Maridadi said. He added: If church leaders are invited to church gatherings and they go there to preach the gospel of national healing, I dont see there being a problem. Because in any case the church leader is determined what is suitable for the congregation and what is not.

Despite being part of the inclusive government, Tsvangirai still suffers frustration because of the state agents ploys to undermine him. The weekly Standard newspaper reported on Sunday that since the unity government was formed almost two years ago, Tsvangirai has now given up hope of moving into Zimbabwe House a residence traditionally reserved for the Prime Minister. A source told the paper that Robert Mugabes party continues to try and subvert and belittle Tsvangirai wherever it can.