The Johane Masowe WechiShanu WeAfrica has applied for official affiliate status with ZANU PF and in return, the sect leaders would rally their followers to vote for the ruling party.
The apostolic sect’s leader, Bishop Andby Makururu, held a meeting with the ZANU PF secretary for finance and acting political commissar, Patrick Chinamasa, on 2 September.
Makururu was accompanied by 37 members drawn from the district and provincial leadership ranks, including members of the 250-large “prophetic counsel”. Chinamasa confirmed the meeting in a series of tweets. He wrote:
The meeting explored modalities for collaboration between the church and ZANU PF, especially in the area of economic empowerment, agriculture, mining, touring etc … They applied for affiliate status with ZANU PF and I briefed them on the requirements.
According to Chinamasa, some of the demands include sharing ZANU PF values, preservation and defence of the national interest, national sovereignty and territorial integrity of Zimbabwe, resolutely opposing tribalism, regionalism, nepotism, corruption, racism, religious fanaticism, among others.
The church promised to fulfil ZANU PF’s requirements.
When contacted for his comment by NewsDay, Chinamasa said he was in a meeting.
ZANU PF acting spokesperson Mike Bimha and Tafadzwa Mugwadi, the party’s information director, refused to comment, referring the NewsDay to Chinamasa.
The ruling party has traditionally drawn massive support from the apostolic sects, especially during elections.
In February 2019, Apostolic Christian Council of Zimbabwe president Johannes Ndanga said President Emmerson Mnangagwa was God-ordained while addressing mourners at the burial of United Apostolic Church Independent Church of God Archbishop Chiutsi Zihowa Motsi in Mt Darwin.