Marange Passover to attract more than 200 000 pilgrims

More than 200 000 Johanne Marange Apostolic Church pilgrims are expected to converge for their annual Passover at Mafararikwa Shrine in Manicaland.

The annual Johanne Marange Apostolic Church Passover draws thousands of pilgrims from across Africa, triggering a hive of activity in Mutare and the Marange area.

Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister and National Assembly representative for Mutare West, Dr Christoper Mushohwe, said this was one of Zimbabwe's largest religious gatherings, adding that President Mugabe's Government was a firm upholder of the universal principle of freedom of worship.

"The Johanne Marange annual Passover is one of the largest gatherings in Zimbabwe. It draws people from countries like South Africa, Angola, Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo."

He went on: "President Mugabe is a God-fearing person and he respects churches in Zimbabwe," he said. "His relationship with members of the Johanne Marange Apostolic Church dates back to many years ago.

"St Noah Taguta is a true servant of God and commands a large following across Africa. People should not forget that the founder of this great church prophesied that blacks would rise and defeat whites to end colonialism in the country.

"He also prophesied that whites will try to bounce back masked as black opposition leaders and this came to pass through the formation of the Movement for Democratic Change."

There were reports yesterday that President Mugabe would address the gathering, but Presidential Press Secretary Mr George Charamba confirmed last night that this was not the case.

He said, "Indeed there had been suggestions that His Excellency be invited to the Passover, and these were suggestions made by officials back home while the President was in Singapore.

"But we have to bear in mind the six-hour time difference and the long flight between Zimbabwe and Singapore, and appreciate that the President needs his rest. As such he will not be addressing congregants at the Passover."

President Mugabe returned from Singapore yesterday morning.

Meanwhile, Dr Mushohwe dismissed opposition claims that Zanu-PF was registering members of the Johanne Marange Church as voters ahead of next year's harmonised elections.

"These utterances come from ideologically bankrupt people. Why is it they are already running scared well before the elections? People should not listen to perennial underachievers who always look for scapegoats for their poor showing in any election.

"Is Johanne Marange the only church on the land? Are apostolic church members the only active political players in the country? Voters are drawn from all churches be it Anglican, United Methodist Church, Roman Catholic or Jack of the Nation (Jekenisheni).

"President Mugabe is Catholic, so why do people rush to target apostolic church members? The opposition should continue with their daydreaming and that will not stop us from engaging everyone, including churches. We will continue working with churches that support Government programmes," said Dr Mushohwe.

He hailed the Johanne Marange Church for supporting Command Agriculture, saying their farm in Chipinge was one of the best managed in Zimbabwe.