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Writes Wellington Zimbowa
Gospel of God International Church has congratulated Zanu PF leader, Emmerson Mnangagwa for his declared victory in the recent election that saw him inaugurated as President of Zimbabwe yesterday.
Founded by the late African clergyman and nationalist, Mutumwa Johane in 1932, the church is reportedly credited for prophesying about Zimbabwe’s liberation from colonial rule.
Traditionally acclaimed to be staunch Zanu PF supporters since the liberation war, the apostolic sect over the weekend, pioneered in congratulating the party and its leader during a special sabbath service in St Mary’s Chitungwiza.
Former Chitungwiza mayor and Zanu PF Central Committee member, Macheka, also attended the special event where the vapostori conveyed their congratulatory message.
He was accompanied by losing St Mary’s Zanu PF ward 7 councillor, Angirayi Makanda.
”Our founding spiritual father, the late Mutumwa Johane, prophesied back in 1932 that Zimbabwe would get into black majority rule and urged the people not to ever return the country into the hands of colonisers.
“Thus for us, supporting Zanu PF is a direct honour of the prophecy of our founding spiritual father. We congratulate our President, Emmerson Mnangagwa, for another five-year term, praying and urging him to continue leading the party, government and country on the right path.
“This is the message that we were sent to convey by the church’s governing body of elders. In this message, we are also guided by the election results as announced by the Zimbabwe Election Commission that Zanu PF and President Emmerson Mnangagwa won the election,” said Archbishop Inos Madondo.
He added that they were not surprised by the victory outcome since a prophecy was long delivered that ED would romp to victory.
The church reiterated its loyalty to the party in “both in good and bad times” saying since 1980, it has been a firm loyalist.
Responding to the congratulatory message, Mr. Macheka thanked the church for its unwavering support and for leading other churches in congratulating his party and said he would ensure that the message gets to President Mnangagwa.
He also thanked the church which he described as one of the biggest for praying for peace.
“During the campaign, we went to various churches seeking support, and on behalf of the party and president, we thank you for your support that saw us winning the election. Our leader comes from the people and knows what the people want. He wants people to stay in peace praying for the country,” he said.
The church also observed that it will continue working with the losing ward 7 councilor, where its Chitungwiza church is housed and not the opposition one.
Another church member, Apostle Tsopota said his spiritual father was Mutumwa Johane while the Zanu PF leader was the political father.
“It’s part of the church doctrine to support the party and even our children know that once they reach eighteen years they will vote for the party. We thank Zanu PF for ensuring peace and advancing black empowerment and standing firm with the people,” he said.
He added that the church has dedicated ‘sisters” who pray for peace in the country.
However, the Nelson Chamisa-led Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) is disputing the election while SADC has discredited it alongside the European Union Observer mission due to reported irregularities such as voter intimidation, and voter roll incredibility among other cited irregularities.