According to private media reports from the country’s third biggest city, Madzibaba Andby (born Andby Makururu), who leads the Johanne the Fifth of Africa International Vapostori sect, also urged his followers to register with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) and ballot in favour of Mnangagwa in the synchronised polls slated for next year.
This, Makururu did, during the two-day 37th anniversary to mark the formation of his church at Mutare Showgrounds, in Manicaland, over the weekend.
The event was graced by senior ruling party officials who included Nokuthula Matsikenyere, the Provincial Affairs Minister and the party’s women’s league boss for Manicaland Happiness Nyakuedzwa.
It was on the second day of the commemorations- on Sunday- that Makururu made, peharps the most blasphemous plea to his hundreds of congregants: that they ballot in favour of the ruling Zanu PF party in the next elections to be held in 2023.
“We are registering our members at the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) so that they can vote for President Mnangagwa in 2023, and we are leaving no one in our registration drive,” he said.
Added Makururu:
“We are experiencing challenges minister (Matsikenyere). Can you assist us to get birth certificates and identity cards for some of our congregants so that we achieve the targeted one million votes. We are happy with Mnangagwa’s policies and we assure him that we are behind him. We have several members that reside outside the country”.
The controversial cleric also directed his followers to vote for Zanu PF parliamentary candidates, who include Mutasa South Constituency’s Misheck Mugadza and yesteryear business magnate, Esau Mupfumi, who eyes the Dangamvura/Chikanga seat ahead of the potentially explosive March 26 by-elections.
While delivering her keynote address, Minister Matsikenyeri who is also the Member of Parliament for Chimanimani West, admitted that although it was taboo for church members to chant political slogans during services, she was impressed by what the Johanne the Fifth of Africa International Vapostori sect members did.
“At my church, it is taboo to chant slogans. But even comrade Misheck Mugadza is impressed and has said that he is willing to join this church because of the way Zanu PF slogans are chanted. We are looking for land to give to this church because you are doing a great job. We will talk to Mutare Rural District Council where most of the land is,” she added.
The Zanu PF legislator also said that the revolutionary party was ready for the 2023 elections.
Zwnews
