Mugabe is God-given - Tsvangirai

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai yesterday described President Robert Mugabe as a "God-given" leader chosen to guide Zimbabwe into prosperity.

While urging Zimbabweans to pray for the President, Prime Minister Tsvangirai told a Chitungwiza Peace Prayer meeting - organised by the Zimbabwe Pastors' Fellowship - that President Mugabe was chosen by God to lead the country.

"President Mugabe is chosen by God, he is God-given and all leaders are chosen by God, so it is important for all Zimbabweans to pray for their leaders," he said, amid ululation from the audience.

Prime Minister Tsvangirai added that it was every Zimbabwean's obligation to pray for the leadership all the time, despite their political differences.

"Whether you like us or not, but as your leaders you are obliged to pray for us, so that we develop the vision and wisdom needed to lead the country. You can like (President) Mugabe or hate him, but that should not stop you from praying for him.

"In the same vein, you can dislike the Prime Minister, but that should also not stop you from praying for me. You should pray for the leaders so that they can have the vision and foresight that the country needs to succeed."

The premier also took the opportunity to speak against violence, adding that peace was the foundation for progress.

"We should desist from violence because chibharanzi (it's backward); we must also pray for peace in this country and for that demon which causes violence to go away," said Prime Minister Tsvangirai.

"Peace is the foundation for economic and social progress of a country. Violence is like a demon which has the knack of manifesting itself whenever elections are approaching. So we should pray for this spirit to go away," he said.

He said the three principals in the inclusive Government were committed to peace and development.

"I can speak on behalf of President Mugabe and categorically say that I know he has made a commitment for peace.

"Deputy Prime Minister Mutambara is also committed to non-violent conduct and that is why we decided to hold the anti-violence conference last year," he said.

Co-odinator of Zimbabwe Pastors' Fellowship Rev Watson Furayi said the gathering, which was meant to encourage Zimbabweans to pray for their leaders, had been successful.

"We are encouraging people to pray for our leaders so that they get the vision to lead the country and we also want to make sure that as countrymen we are at peace with each other," he said.

The event was attended by several pastors and thousands of people from Chitungwiza.

Gospel musicians Charles Charamba and his wife Olivia as well as new sensation Blessing Shumba entertained the crowd.