Church leader launches #Mugabe Must Fall campaign

REMNANT Church leader Patrick Mugadza, famed for his solo demonstration against government misrule, has launched a #Mugabe Must Fall campaign that will involve 40 days of prayer and fasting to force President Robert Mugabe to leave office.

This comes as several church organisations and civic society groups in Masvingo have threatened to picket Masvingo Provincial Affairs minister Shuvai Mahofa's offices for the next 16 days, demanding that Mugabe steps down over government's failed economic policies.

Mugadza said his 40-day campaign would kick off at Africa Unity Square in Harare today where he has invited other activists and clergymen to join him.

Various other church denominations were making efforts for change of government, accusing the current leaders of creating and failing to steer the country out of the economic chaos.

"From July 1, we are going on 40 days of fasting and prayer and our prayer point is Mugabe must go, so that is why we have termed the campaign #Mugabe Must Fall," he said.

"We are calling upon all churches to join us in prayer so that we can redeem our country and we are urging pastors to speak about this in their churches. We need more pastors to stand up.

"The reason why we are not seeing a breakthrough is because the church has taken a step back leaving the politicians to do all the work.

"Politicians have failed our country and if the church intervenes, God will give us victory."

Mugadza added: "As a nation, we are grieving because of what is going on. Flags are on half-mast when a hero dies and Zimbabwe is a great hero on its way to death. I am urging companies to fly flags on half-mast for the next 40 days to show that we are grieving the death of our economy."

Mugadza said pastors in other parts of the country should find prayer points where people can gather and pray for Mugabe to leave.

In December last year, the Masvingo-based pastor was arrested in Victoria Falls after he staged a one-man demonstration against the 92-year-old Zanu-PF leader who has been Zimbabwe's sole leader since 1980.

In 2007, another cleric, Pius Ncube, led a campaign to denounce Mugabe while mobilising other clergymen to pray for Mugabe's death for ruining the country.

The Masvingo anti-Mugabe campaign, which also kicks off today, has been organised by Christian Voice International, Community Tolerance and Reconciliation Development, Masvingo United Residents and Ratepayers' Alliance, Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union and Masvingo Vendors' Association.