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Johane Masowe church members apprehensive about ZANU PF intentions
Union for Sustainable Democracy
August 23, 2010

The Union for Sustainable Democracy has been inundated with statements of concern from Christian Zimbabweans of the Johane Masowe Church who are gravely worried about ZANU PF's infiltration of their church with the sole purpose of bolstering its support base ahead of possible elections next year.

USD is reliably informed that members of that church have become the latest target of ZANU PF's intimidatory tactics. Many have been forced to attend ZANU PF rallies at certain 'assembly points'. Those courageous enough to defend the church's doctrine of staying clear of politics are being labeled as sell-outs and / or MDC supporters.

Unfortunately for the church, members have told us, some church leaders have accepted soft loans as well as other financial favors from ZANU PF. This, they say, has resulted in those leaders becoming more susceptible to pressure and even amenable to ZANU PF wishes. The Muzarabani, Mt Darwin and Chitungwiza centers of the church are among the most deeply infiltrated, with the likes of Information and Publicity minister Webster Shamu and the delinquent Joseph Chinotimba heading the list of intruders.

James Chitima (not his real name) said his message to ZANU PF is: 'We don't want our church to be used'. Asked why they were raising these concerns, he explained that: 'We want to save our church'. USD takes a serious view of any moves that encroach and trample on the rights of innocent Zimbabweans. Accordingly, we hereby strongly condemn ZANU PF's continued disregard for human rights and freedoms in the strongest possible terms.

The sanctity of a church must be respected at all times and politicizing churches whose doctrines do not encourage participating in the political process goes against the tenets of freedom of religion and is an affront to the founding values of the constitution of Zimbabwe.

Consequently, while we acknowledge ZANU PF's right to canvass for votes, we believe that the need to seek legitimacy at the next election must not be at the expense of the rights of Johane Masowe Church members. Such behavior is absolutely deplorable and must be stopped forthwith.

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