PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa’s ally, Bishop Nehemiah Mutendi of the Zion Christian Church (ZCC), has decried failure by Sadc leaders to improve the economic fortunes of the people in the region.
Mutendi was speaking during a national prayer meeting hosted by Mnangagwa at State House on Thursday.
Zimbabwe is hosting the Sadc summit this week with the heads of State and government meeting in Mt Hampden on Saturday.
Mutendi, who is the leader of the ZCC, also rallied Sadc leaders to uphold the bloc’s principles on peace and economic development and take a cue from liberation war heroes.
“As we host the Sadc summit at the very time, we are celebrating our heroes. The heroes, which, as a church, we should not shun.
“Our heroes, they could not have done it without God. We pray that leaders of the region take a cue from our liberation heroes who sacrificed everything to liberate our countries,” he said.
Mutendi said Sadc’s mission was to promote sustainable and equitable economic growth and social economic development through efficient productive systems deeper co-operation and integration, good governance and durable peace and security.
“We all want to enjoy durable peace and security in our homes, communities, countries, certainly in our region. We also pray that during our chairmanship Zimbabwe makes a significant buy in of the Sadc development agenda for our benefit as a nation,” he said.
- Mr President, you missed the opportunity to be the veritable voice of conscience
- ED to commission new-look border post
- Zanu PF ready for congress
- EU slams Zim over delayed reforms
Keep Reading
Mutendi also challenged Mnangagwa to live up to his campaign slogan of working for the economic emancipation of all Zimbabwean citizens under the mantra, “leaving no one and no place behind”.
He said achieving the ambitious goal would require strong prayers and divine intervention.
“We pray that the President of Zimbabwe upholds his pledge to leave no one behind and no place behind not just as Zimbabwe but across the region.
“This, however, should not just be a slogan and it cannot come to pass if we do not stand firm as church to pray and pray very hard.
“We pray this must be felt by all Zimbabweans across the board as well as the entire region so that citizens have full benefits from their heritage as bona fide sons and daughters of Zimbabwe and each respective country in this region.”
Mnangagwa is assuming the Sadc chairmanship during the bloc’s heads of State and government summit.
