Church calls for sanctions removal

his followers signing the National Anti-Sanctions Petition at the City Sports Centre in Harare.
Addressing his church members shortly before he appended his signature on the petition, Apostle Wutaunashe called on the West and its allies to remove the illegal economic embargo, which he said was not targeted but a burden on every Zimbabwean.
“Sanctions are affecting both Zanu-PF and MDC supporters because they have all been deprived of opportunities to prosper in their own country,” he said.
He asked: “Do we call it partisan if a hospital that caters for you all cannot import a simple thing like an oxygen cup to resuscitate patients because the country has been barred from trading with other nations?”
Apostle Wutaunashe gave an example of a baby who lost his life two weeks ago at Masvingo General hospital because there was no proper equipment to resuscitate the ailing child.
“So what role does a child play in the war of politics?” he asked.
Apostle Wutaunashe prayed for Zimbabweans to make peace and reconciliation a priority and to be wary of external forces whenever they have differences.
“Let us pray this day that our Almighty breaks the spirit of political treachery, poverty, disobedience, violence and injustice looming in the entire continent of Africa.
“Innocent people in Libya, Iraq and Afghanistan are being massacred because they belong to the land that has been blessed with numerous natural resources that are wanted by someone elsewhere. May our leaders be blessed with the wisdom to know when their people should be protected,” said Apostle Wutaunashe in his prayer.
He appealed to those attending the church’s convention to sign the National Anti-Sanctions Petition. The spiritual leader also implored political leaders not to abandon the spirit of inter-party reconciliation and unity so that they could speak with one voice on issues that affect the well being of the people. Also present at the service was Minister of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development Dr Olivia Muchena who said she had not come as a politician but as a worshipper.
She explained that sanctions were meant to frustrate Zimbabweans so that they turn against their leaders.
“These sanctions have caused unemployment in this country and we have been barred from dealing with foreign banks, meaning that trading with other countries is impossible,” said Dr Muchena.
Dr Muchena, however, assured the congregation that Sadc, the AU and friendly Asian counties were rallying behind Zimbabwe in its efforts to have the sanctions removed.
She urged the church to pray every Tuesday for the Cabinet as it sits for its meetings.
“We need the spirit of peace to prevail among us politicians because if it comes from God, no one else can take it away from us,” she said.
President Mugabe launched the anti-sanctions campaign in Harare a month ago.
The petition seeks to collect at least two million signatures to show Zimbabweans’ displeasure over the West’s illegal sanctions regime.