Mugabe addresses more than 200,000 mapostori

President Robert Mugabe has expressed concern over the increase in moral decadence in the country and called upon religious organisations to stand up for the truth and restore the dignity of the people.

More than 200 000 Johane Marange Apostolic Church followers gathered at the Mafararikwa Shrine for their annual Passover.

The Minister of State for Manicaland, Chris Mushohwe, the Minister of Environment, Water and Climate Saviour Kasukuwere, and Zanu-PF Manicaland provincial chairman Ambassador John Mvundura joined the congregants led by High Priest Noah Taguta.

President Mugabe, who was represented by Mushohwe, said the government look up to the church to lead the fight against moral decadence and to restore the dignity of humanity as espoused in the Bible.

He applauded members of the Johane Marange Apostolic Church for voting overwhelmingly for Zanu-PF in last year's harmonised elections, adding that Zanu-PF will continue to work with the sect in advancing socio-economic development.

President Mugabe saluted the church for playing a role in the country's education sector through the establishment of St Noah College and another school set to be built in Nyanga.

He called on the various religious organisations to support the government's call for peace and unity to prevail in the country and to castigate all forms of violence.

Addressing the same gathering, the Zanu-PF Manicaland provincial chairman, Ambassador John Mvundura applauded members of the Johane Marange Apostolic Church for restoring the supremacy of Zanu-PF in Manicaland through voting overwhelmingly for the party during the 2013 harmonised elections.

The Johane Marange followers were implored to join the government in transforming the new economic blue print, ZIM ASSET, into a reality.

The followers who were drawn from all corners of the country were joined by their counterparts from the SADC region and beyond.