Churches call for end to ‘toxic politics’
THE Zimbabwe Pastors Network (ZPN) and the Church Community Development (CCD) have appealed to local political parties to desist from “toxic politics” and help unite the country.
This comes after Zimbabwe, with the help of SADC, upped the tempo against the illegal embargo imposed on Harare by officially staging anti-sanctions marches on October 25.
The church organisations said there was need to take a bold decision and address the root cause of national challenges which they said was disunity in fighting against sanctions.
This comes at a time when MDC-Alliance is dragging its feet in joining Political Actors’ Dialogue (POLAD), which seeks to address issues affecting the people.
POLAD seeks to foster unity among Zimbabweans and was initiated by President Mnangagwa as part of his commitment to improve the livelihoods of the people.
ZPN and CCD are made up of the Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe, United Development of Apostolic Churches in Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Council of Churches.
Addressing church members at Zibwowa Secondary School in Zaka last Friday, ZPN vice chairman Mr Bubbly Mahau said unity and peace were the pillars in fixing the nation’s problems.
“As churches, we are aiming to mobilise the nation towards a process in which we can rest from the toxic political environment that is affecting the way we can work in unison.
“Our calling is that of the removal of illegal sanctions imposed on the country. The illegal sanctions have been responsible for the economic hardships affecting ordinary citizens across the country, despite claims by the United States of America and its European
Union allies that the sanctions are targeted at individuals,” he said.
The Church, Mr Mahau said, had a crucial role of bringing people together.
“The Church must always be present. Where the nation is hurting, the Church must be there.
“We never suggest anything on what they must do politically, except when the nation is in a crisis.
“The nation has been under ruinous and illegal embargoes for more than 20 years now and, as churches, we have seen this has an effect on the country’s turnaround programmes and this is why we are calling for Zimbabweans to be united and speak with one voice in fighting against sanctions,” he said
Mr Mahau said as church organisations, they were hopeful that if all political parties, civic organisations and patriotic Zimbabweans were united, economic hardships would be addressed.
“We urge all Zimbabweans to maintain peace today and in future. We also advise the nation to shun efforts by anti-progressive elements whose intention is to incite acts of civil disobedience,” he said.