Mugabe Bribed Three Prominent Churches in Zimbabwe

It’s sad that Satan is working in most Zimbabwean Church leaders to strengthen oppression or to prolong the life of Mugabe ZANU PF a murderous government. Church leaders are being bribed into silence or to support the oppressors - ZANU PF government. The Church is an ambassador of Jesus Christ on earth. In times of crisis, genocides, oppression and suffering such as ours, the Zimbabwean Church must speak the biblical truth about politics, economics and morality, help the poor and oppose the dictatorship of ZANU PF government which is causing unbearable suffering to millions.

The Roman Catholic Bishop Pius Ncube said, “They is so much suffering in Zimbabwe that l cannot be bribed.” Bishop Ncube is doing a great job of opposing the devastation of the poor.

The Vision Document: Zimbabwe we want.

The three Churches, Zimbabwe Catholic Bishop Conference (ZCBC), Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe (EFZ), and Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) have written a 54-paged document known as: Zimbabwe we want.
After decades of silence in face of political madness, it appeared as if these three Churches are now assuming their responsibility. Before late l realized that something was wrong with ZCBC, EFZ and ZCC. Mugabe is using these three Church bodies to moderate critism from Christians.

On The Way Forward (Chapter 8 of the Zimbabwe We Want), the three Churches never talked about the need for free and fair elections. All emphasis for Zimbabwe We Want was placed or rested in the ZANU PF Government. To say Mugabe is the solution to the crisis, which he has deliberately caused, is to give him legitimacy. The document is flawed. Zimbabwe We Want document is a waste of paper and time. The document is a tool to make money from Western donors who are so much ignorant about what needs to be done in Zimbabwe .
Western donors or Churches are easily duped into supporting immorality or unwieldy programs in Africa .

Mugabe has already rejected the ZCBC, EFZ and ZCC proposition for a new constitution. Taking into account that the opposition MDC has won 2002 presidential elections, it is ironic that the Church leaders claim that the solution lies by appealing or negotiating with Mugabe, Zanu Pf Government.

The Zimbabwe We Want way forward is a far-fetched solution to our problems. The first problem to Zimbabwe is our government that has robbed the nation of its dignity and second is our sins that have separated us from God and one another that we have no love for the poor and our neighbor. Therefore our sins need to be forgiven and ZANU PF needs to be removed from power.

Biblical the Church must not rely on compromise. There are two options for the Zimbabwean Church , pleasing Mugabe or the suffering Zimbabweans who long for justice. No neutral ground. The three Churches want to please both the murderer and Jesus. Mugabe is not blind to the extent that he can allow Bishop Manhanga and his counterparts to win freedom of Zimbabwe through pen and paper (assuming it is what they want). Compromising with Zanu Pf is a waste of time. The ZCC, EFZ and ZCBC must stop playing with the oppressed people of Zimbabwe .

It’s becoming clear that most elements in the EFZ, ZCC and ZCBC support or sympathize with Mugabe Zanu Pf than with their suffering Brothers and Sisters. The partner Church in Zimbabwe We Want, ZCC is already gone, its members have been enriched with stolen farms and tax funds from the poor.

I’m sure Bishop Manhanga of Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe (EFZ) preaches that light and darkness should not be equal yoked. If he is fairly honest what Zimbabwe We Want can be realize with the corrupted ZCC. ZCC leaders have not only benefited from stolen farms but openly support ZANU PF oppressors. Zimbabweans do not trust pro-state Churches not matter how loud they may shout about their credibility.

Paragraph 2 under the Way Forward states, we should dialogue with Mugabe.” We patriotic Zimbabweans have no time to talk to Mugabe. Mugabe and his Zanu Pf government must go out of power. Apart from having committed a genocide, destroying homes of hundred of thousands, bulldozing Churches, starving dissenters Mugabe is arrogant and unrepentant. It was better if the three Churches have suggested that Zimbabweans talk to the MDC President, Morgan Tsvangirai. Why is it that ZCC, EFZ, ZCBC are quick to talk of reconciliation with enemies of God than God’s justice which require the new government to punish perpetrators of 1983 genocide and all political crimes that have gone unpunished. Patriotic Zimbabweans cannot unite and talk with villains.

The Church must not be selective and one sided in applying the laws of God to our situation. Our attitudes towards the unchanging laws of God determine whether we will get true freedom or not. The new government in accordance with the laws of God (which requires capital punishment for capital offenses) is required to deal with members of ZANU PF who have committed crimes. The Church must not confuse or pretend not to understand the well-clarified moral laws of God.

Paragraph 3 states that, “it is important that all stakeholders recognize that the ongoing land redistribution process is irreversible and interested parties should buy into the process.” On what basis? Are these three Churches still a credible voice from God? There are farms that have been robbed from their rightful owners. Many White farmers have bought the land from the Zanu Pf government and were issued State Certificates of No Interest. ZCC, EFZ and ZCBC is now telling Zimbabweans that such land should not be returned to the previous owners. The three Churches must not brain wash people on Marxist lines. The Church must not be envious and covetous but should proclaim God’s justice not its humanistic standards of righting wrongs.
Most farms have been given to soldiers, pro-Mugabe clergy, and politicians. The new government must take such land away. Any Church or Institution or voice that tells us that such land should not be returned to the owners is not from God.

A political commentator at the University of Zimbabwe , John Makumbe said, “we must not forget that the pro-state Church leaders (ZCC, EFZ and ZCBC) are essentially implementing Mugabe’s initiative following his four hour launch with them at State house a few months ago…” The Bishops launch with Mugabe while innocent people are being butchered, silenced and starved by his soldiers and militias.

John Makumbe further said, “The fact that the pro-State Church leaders openly reject regime change as constituting part of the expected national vision clearly places them at variance with majority of Zimbabweans. Without regime change every national vision is a nightmare…”

Washington Katema writing to the weekly ZINASU Vanguard states, “in this regard l humbly dismiss the pro-ZANU PF National vision document basing on simple facts... In case the Zimbabwe Council of Churches, Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe and Catholic Bishop Conference have failed as there are now being used as cannon fodder by Mugabe.” In the Church initiative Mugabe is buying time.

On page 13 of Zimbabwe We Want ZCBC, EFZ, and ZCC accept that they have started the path of engagement with the government. ZANU PF government is a criminal enterprise. It’s bizarre that these three Churches choose negotiation with an illegitimate government that is guilty of theft and committing atrocities. In its attempt to control every area of life ZANU PF government is committing high treason against God. It’s due to cowardice that the Church chose to engage with villains who have ravaged such a beautiful country as Zimbabwe .

Zimbabwean Churches Need to Repent from Hypocrisy


The Zimbabwean Church should openly tell Mugabe that he is the villain. The Church should Pray Psalms of justice that God either save ZANU PF leaders or destroy them. Talking to Mugabe or ZANU PF members will not help salvage anything. Zimbabwe is in shambles. Three thousand people are dying every week. The ZANU PF government is not relenting in corruption and is manipulating relief aid. Churches should talk of empowering opposition politicians to remove Mugabe by whatever peaceful means possible. We need a biblical view of dealing with tyrants. In the bible God permitted the slaughter of tyrants. Historical tyrants were removed by Christian reformers and punished for their crimes. The Church compromise and tyrant never compromise. It is foolish, deception and waste of time for the Zimbabwean Church to compromise.

Its rhetoric that the ZCC, ZCBC and EFZ accept Marxist violence that overthrew the colonial government of Ian Smith. Now oppose removing Mugabe and his ZANU PF government as way forward. Zimbabweans must not get tired we need a decisive action to remove our tyrant. Our Churches must repent from such blatant hypocrisy.

Arthur Molife a Zimbabwean Christian activist said, “lets hope that now Christians will devote their time and energy towards the ending of the vile Mugabe regime…”

Chairperson of the Africa Minister’s Association, Reverend Alfred Modise, said Zimbabweans should fight and uproot a dictator.

A prominent Lawyer, Gabriel Shumba said a silent genocide is taking place in Zimbabwe and there was need for the Church and Zimbabwean community to join hands and fight the culprit.

My fellow Zimbabwean lets not waste time talking, mourning before people or international bodies that are not concerned about our plight. Let’s unite, support and work with our opposition leaders to remove our tyrant. Fear and pursuit of pleasures are temporary sacrifices done for our country will live forever.

I love Zimbabwe and its people. May God give us wisdom, love and strength to bring desired change in Zimbabwe .

Collen Makumbirofa
Foundation of Reason & Justice
P.O. BOX 61441
Marshall town 2107
South Africa
http://forjustice.atspace.org
Emails: infoforjustice@fastermail.com