Online Reporter
Samuel Kadungure
Mutare Bureau
CHURCHES and families need to work closely with Government in instilling strong moral values to curb the scourge of drug and substance abuse, ZANU PF National Chairperson and Defence Minister Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri has said.
Addressing congregants during the National Prayer Day held in Mutare on Friday ahead of the ZANU PF National People’s Conference, Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri said drug abuse was being weaponised by Zimbabwe’s detractors after the failure of sanctions to destabilise the nation.
“Drug and substance abuse is now the country’s main enemy,” she said.
“We need the family to remain intact to successfully fight the war against drug and substance abuse and defend the country. The Church should pray for the family unit to remain intact.
“The President has declared war on drug and substance abuse. Testing kits are being purchased to test our children and deter them from indulging in drug and substance abuse.
“The Church is an important partner to the Government.”
The gathering brought together leaders and congregants from various denominations, including Vapostori and MaZion, Pastors 4ED and the Zimbabwe Indigenous Interdenominational Council of Churches.
The prayer meeting was dedicated to peace, unity and accelerated national development.
Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri thanked churches for their support in nation-building and commended indigenous churches for their growing role in providing education and health facilities.
She also highlighted the inseparable relationship between the ruling party and the Church, noting that every family across Zimbabwe had contributed to the liberation struggle.
“The Church has once again demonstrated its role as a pillar of peace and national unity by holding this prayer to intercede on behalf of the ruling party and Government ahead of the National People’s Conference.”
Turning to politics, Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri reaffirmed ZANU PF’s consensus on extending President Mnangagwa’s term of office beyond 2030.
“There is no province that did not support Resolution Number One. I am pleased to see this unity. If you are isolated in refusing to accept the issues agreed upon by the whole country, then there is a problem. People would be appreciative of the great works being done by President Mnangagwa.”
Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution Advocate Misheck Mugadza said the prayer meeting symbolised the unity fostered under President Mnangagwa’s leadership, citing progress in infrastructure projects such as GMB silos and the reintroduction of the Harare–Mutare flight.
Church leaders also reaffirmed their loyalty to Government and ZANU PF.
