'You are so disrespectful,' Mujuru tells Vapostori

The Vice-President, Joice Mujuru, Thursday said her interest in being patron of the Apostolic Christian Council of Zimbabwe is fading because of the recent behaviour of some council members.

Her sentiments follow the brutal attack on police, journalists and ACCZ president Johannes Ndanga by an apostolic sect in Budiriro recently, following an announcement that their church had been banned for violating women and children's rights.

Speaking at the launch of a campaign against rape yesterday, Mujuru said the behaviour of churches was now compromised with a lot of them reflecting negative attributes.

She said such behaviour should never be tolerated.

"Makandisarudza kuti ndive patron weACCZ asi hazvigoni kuti ndirambabe ndichiuya ikoko muchiita mabasa erima? (You chose me to become ACCZ patron but I can't be working with you when you are so disrespectful).Hatigoni kukudzwa nehurumende seACCZ kana muchishungurudza nemukuru wenyu zvekare. (I'm even disappointed that you also recently attacked the police, journalists and your organisational leader," Mujuru said.

She said churches should correctly read and interpret the Bible to avoid misleading people, especially women and children.

The vice-president said the police were an equal representation of the government who also represent the majority and as such should be given respect.

"Chinonzi hurumende munochiziva here? (Do you know what the government is?), one police person represents every citizen in this country and what it means is that they are very important," she said.

She, however, urged the police to act responsibly and deliver as articulated in their mandate saying it was also disappointing to note that at times they (police) also breach the laws.

"Hatitarisiri kukuonai mave vasikana vehusiku nokuti makatakura Zimbabwe. (We don't expect you to become prostitutes because the country is in your hands). Nyangwe mukabvisa uniform ingonzwai kuti muri maZimbabwe akakwana, zvamunobata ngazvisashorwa nevanokuonai (you must deliver as recommended even when not in uniforms)," Mujuru said.

"Ko tinozombodireiko kuti kan tasvika paseri pemota tochinja, timbori vana rigiyoni vanganiko? (why do you act differently when not in uniforms, are we legions of evil spirits?"

Mujuru said it is now known police behave appropriately when their seniors or the president are present yet they are  naturally chief culprits.

Talking on the subject of the day, Mujuru said there was need for concerted efforts by policy makers, communities, churches and traditional leaders to win the war against rape. She said leaders should also take it upon themselves to ensure women and girls were protected.