HARARE Zanu (PF) is going to church literally as the party leaves no stone unturned in its attempt to reverse the humiliating loss to Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirais former opposition MDC-T in Zimbabwes last general elections held in 2008. (Pictured: President Ro
Two years after its land reform mantra failed to convince a restive populace to vote for it, President Robert Mugabes party appears to have struck another winning formula this time in the form of a captive audience and potential voters offered by submissive church groups. The flurry of church activities by Zanu (PF) bigwigs during the past month has betrayed the partys motives.
In the past week alone, Zanu (PF) chairperson Simon Khaya Moyo and Vice President Joice Mujuru have led the partys latest marketing strategy, reminding hapless churchgoers of the sacrifices made by Mugabe and others to liberate Zimbabwe from colonial bondage.
Mujuru told thousands of the Apostolic and Zion followers on September 12 that the freedom of worship Zimbabwe presently enjoys was a result of the sacrifices of those who died to liberate the country. Speaking at the launch of the Apostolic Christian Council of Zimbabwe, the Zanu (PF) and national Vice President said the government is more than prepared to take on board and support the apostolic sect in empowerment projects considering that they are well known for self reliance.
Salvation Army
On the same day Moyo was addressing members of the Salvation Army during a ground-breaking ceremony for the new church building for the Crowborough North congregation. This particular event gave away the motive behind Zanu (PF)s sudden interest in the church, according to political analysts. The fact that Mujuru appointed Moyo to represent her at the Salvation Army event instead of another government official tells a story of its own. Remember that this guy (Moyo) is not a member of the current government. He represents a party, said Harare-based political analyst Donald Porusingazi.
Mujuru is a member of the Salvation Army and has regularly officiated at functions organised by the church.She allegedly delegated to Moyo an invitation to participate at the Crowborough North event instead of seconding someone from the
coalition government. And Moyo did not disappoint, using the function to campaign for Mugabe and Zanu (PF).
He told Salvation Army youths to emulate Mugabe and other members of the party who fought for the countrys liberation.
Several other senior Zanu (PF) officials have also addressed churchgroups since the beginning of the year as the party readies itself for the countrys next polls. Mugabes party will be hoping to wrestle back parliamentary seats it lost to the MDC-T during the last polls held in March 2008.
The polls saw the former ruling party losing its parliamentary majority for the first time since independence from Britain in 1980. It also saw Zanu (PF) being forced by the Southern African Development Community and African Union to enter into a power-sharing arrangement with Tsvangirais party.
No date is given for the next elections in the power-sharing agreement commonly known as the global political agreement (GPA) signed by Mugabe and Tsvangirai in September 2008 or in the implementation matrix for the 24 contentious issues agreed by the leaders in July.
Voters roll
But there has been a general assumption that they will be held sometime in 2011. Both Mugabe and Tsvangirai have also talked of elections in 2011, with the former allegedly ordering Finance Minister Tendai Biti to set aside US$200 million for polls when he presents next years national budget. But in a recent radio interview Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara
who is the third signatory to the GPA branded the election talk as political grandstanding, saying it was not possible to put the voters roll in order in time for elections in 2011.
Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) chairperson Simpson Mtambanengwe has also cast doubt on ZEC’s ability to conduct elections in 2011, citing financial constraints and the fact that the voters roll is in “disarray”. Critics say the voters roll is outdated with thousands of dead people still appearing on the voters register and have accused Zanu (PF) of
benefiting from the shambles.
A respected former High Court judge, Mtambanengwe said ZEC was also in the process of carrying out reforms that would end past disputes. Zimbabwes elections have in the past been blighted by violence and charges of vote rigging, which saw the European Union and United States slapping sanctions on Mugabe and senior members of Zanu (PF).
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