Mugabe “playing games” with church leaders

By Tererai Karimakwenda
19 June 2006

As we reported last week controversy has surrounded the Zimbabwean church group that met with Robert Mugabe last month. It all started when the Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC), which organizes the traditional National Day of Prayer, met Mugabe then appeared on state television immediately after. Many observers, particularly the Bulawayo based Christian Alliance, said they showed support for the ruling party and its policies. Then the Day of Prayer was cancelled, and this was viewed as further evidence the ZCC was playing into Mugabe’s hand. In an interview with SW Radio Africa on Monday Bishop Trevor Manhanga of the ZCC said the Day of Prayer was not cancelled but postponed in order to involve many other groups. As for supporting Mugabe, the Bishop said they have opened up a dialogue with Mugabe and will present a document with recommendations for the way forward. He said the ZCC does not support any political party, including the opposition.

But the Mbare based Jesuit priest Father Wermter disagrees with the approach the ZCC has taken. He said deeds speak louder than words and that we need to see a change of course first and justice for the people. Wermter believes until there is some redeeming action by Mugabe there can be no meaningful dialogue. He also believes Mugabe is a very clever man playing games with the church leaders. We asked Bishop Manhanga whether Mugabe had seemed repentant and concerned about the suffering of the people during their meeting. Manhanga said his personal observation was that Mugabe understood the suffering of the people. But asked why they should trust Mugabe when more evictions and arrests had taken place since their meeting with him, the Bishop said this was a cause for concern but these are the issues that will be brought to Mugabe’s attention in the document they are preparing to submit to him. He said no other reasonable solution had been put forth and the ZCC was not about to ask Zimbabweans to pick up arms.

As for the Zimbabwe Christian Alliance which opposed inviting Mugabe to the National Day of Prayer now scheduled for June 25th, Bishop Manhanga dismissed them as individual pastors who do not represent any constituency. He said Zimbabweans should ask themselves who the Alliance are and who they speak for before considering their criticisms.
The Bishop said there will be no politics on that Sunday and people will be praying for the nation. He believes Mugabe needs to be there to hear the prayers along with other key reputable Zimbabweans. Father Wermter said the Bishops attitude towards the Christian Alliance shows the tactics of the regime are “bearing fruit.” He said it is sad to see Christians attacking Christians. Father Wermter also said a ZCC statement attacking the media was unfair. He compared it to a boxer who is kicked after he has already been knocked out.

Bishop Manhanga said the ZCC is aware people are suffering and they are drafting their document with urgency. But he stressed that these things take time. He said the ZCC will be meeting with Morgan Tsvangirai and other officials from the MDC on Wednesday. They will also engage other stakeholders before completing their document. Father Wermter believes Mugabe should first show through his actions that he is serious and means well this time. Until then, he said there is no basis for dialogue.