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George Maponga in Masvingo
Vice-President Joice Mujuru yesterday exhorted churches to help government prevent rampant cases of child abuse, murder and corruption, saying the vices were eroding Zimbabwe’s moral fabric.
The government wanted churches and traditional leaders to join hands with it to curb the social ills which were taking their toll on the nation.
Addressing thousands of Mutendi Zion Christian Church congregants gathered at Mbungo Estates in Bikita for the annual Easter pilgrimage, VP Mujuru hailed the role of churches in moulding morally-upright citizens, saying Zimbabwe’s national leadership led by President Mugabe, was disturbed by a spike in rape cases targeting minors, together with other social ills.
“Every Monday when we meet with President Mugabe and other top government officials we always receive reports of children who are being abused, cases of rape against young people are on the increase,” she said.
“We hear reports of people killing each other over trivial issues in every province. What kind of spirit has gotten into our people? Churches and traditional leaders should arbitrate whenever our people engage in disputes to curb violence.’’
VP Mujuru took a swipe at public officials who engaged in corrupt activities.
“We have people in positions of authority and entrusted with serving the general public who are engaging in corruption,” she said.
“They are enriching themselves instead of serving the common men and women. Corruption is now very pervasive in this country and we need churches to help government to eliminate that rotten vice.’’
VP Mujuru said it was shocking that cases of child rape, murder and corruption were on the rise despite 80 percent of Zimbabweans being Christians.
She said churches should continue praying for the nation so that peace prevailed in Zimbabwe which was now the pride of the entire Sadc region after holding peaceful and credible elections on July 31 last year.
VP Mujuru challenged Zimbabweans who got land under the land redistribution programme to optimally use it, saying the successful implementation of the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (Zim-Asset) hinged on increasing productivity on farms.
Local churches were also supposed to embrace Zim-Asset and explain it to the general membership even in remote parts of the country, she said.
“Zim-Asset is not for people in Masvingo city or in Harare, it is for everyone, the programme entails that everyone starts thinking and planning on how best to economically uplift oneself,” she said.
“Zim-Asset demands that our people stop thinking about what can be done for them, we have to prioritise beneficiation of our products,’’ said VP Mujuru.
She said government allocated Mutendi ZCC church a farm near Chegutu to engage in farming activities to benefit the underprivileged.
The church was also going to get State assistance in expanding Mbungo Dam so that congregants at Mbungo Estates had access to clean water.
The church’s leader His Grace Bishop Dr Nehemiah Mutendi said they supported government’s clampdown on corruption and was fully behind Zim-Asset which sought to end poverty.
Masvingo provincial affairs minister Cde Kudakwashe Bhasikiti paid tribute to indigenous churches such as ZCC Mutendi for rallying their people to safeguard the country’s sovereignty and independence by resoundingly voting for Zanu-PF in last year’s harmonised elections.
Among those who attended the Easter celebrations was Defence Minister Dr Sydney Sekeramayi, Energy and Power Development Minister, Cde Dzikamai Mavhaire, Health and Child Care deputy minister Dr Paul Chimedza and Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Deputy Minister (Cropping) Cde Davis Marapira.
Online Reporter