By A Correspondent-President Emmerson Mnangagwa has handed over US$200,000 to Apostolic and Zion churches under what he calls the Presidential Empowerment Fund — a move critics see as blatant vote buying and an attempt to patronise the church ahead of future elections.
The funds, announced during the Vapostori4ED international conference in Harare on Saturday, are officially meant to support income-generating projects for church members. But the gesture comes as the ruling party intensifies efforts to mobilise political support among influential religious groups.
Presidential Investment Advisor Paul Tungwarara, speaking at the handover, framed the cash as a “seed” from Mnangagwa himself.
“The President has sent me to come and give you an empowerment fund of US$200,000. Everything has a starting point; it’s not about starting with a huge amount.
This is a seed coming from the President. You therefore need to go and plant this seed and water it with prayers, and you will see it will blossom,” he said.
Church leaders openly praised Mnangagwa for what they described as an act of generosity. Vapostori4ED Chairperson Madzibaba Moses Gwasira said:
“We are grateful to receive this gift from the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa.
He indeed has people at heart; he doesn’t discriminate. We are going to sit down and plan accordingly.”
The donation was unveiled during the Johane Masowe eChishanu church’s three-day conference, which organisers said was dedicated to praying for the country, reducing road carnage, and asking God to guide national leaders towards Vision 2030.
Beyond the cash handout, Vapostori4ED is also set to benefit from the presidential borehole drilling programme and funding for the construction of toilets at various Apostolic sect worship sites — benefits critics say are being selectively offered to reward political loyalty rather than address broader national needs.
The ruling party has long targeted Apostolic sects, known for their large, loyal followings, as a key political constituency. The latest cash payout further fuels concerns about the misuse of state-linked resources to buy support in religious communities under the guise of “empowerment.”
Source: Zimeye
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