Ngarivhume warns of church capture

Opposition politician Jacob Ngarivhume has warned Zimbabweans against what he described as the growing capture of the church by political oligarchs, following a highly publicised display of US$1 million in cash at the United Family International Church (UFIC).

In a Facebook post on Sunday, Ngarivhume said millions of Zimbabweans continued to turn to churches for worship, hope and guidance, but accused powerful political and business figures of increasingly exerting influence over religious institutions.

He alleged that traditional churches, including Vapositori and VaZion movements, had over the years been transformed into extensions of Zanu-PF, while the Pentecostal movement was now facing a similar assault.

According to Ngarivhume, the alleged influence was being demonstrated through luxury vehicles, large cash donations and other extravagant gifts being presented to church leaders.

His remarks came after a dramatic service at UFIC, where founder and leader Emmanuel Makandiwa displayed US$1 million in cash donated by businessman Wicknell Chivayo towards the construction of a new church.

Stacks of US$100 notes were displayed at the altar as Makandiwa presented the money to the congregation.

Chivayo had announced the US$1 million church donation alongside pledges to buy luxury vehicles for Makandiwa and his wife, Ruth.

The businessman said he would provide Makandiwa with a new 2026 Rolls-Royce Cullinan facelift and his wife with a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon.

The donations came days after Makandiwa indicated that he was prepared to accept a gift he had previously declined.

Ngarivhume described the spectacle as deeply troubling, arguing that the church risked losing its independence from political and economic power.

"What we have witnessed is devastating. Money was paraded at the pulpit, and political loyalty openly celebrated in God's house," Ngarivhume wrote.

He further alleged that some church leaders had openly declared their support for Zanu-PF and were preaching messages suggesting that Zimbabwe had no viable political alternative.

He appeared to be referring to Apostolic Faith Mission in Zimbabwe president Amon Madzivire, who recently publicly declared his support for Zanu-PF after receiving gifts from President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Ngarivhume also questioned why financial scrutiny appeared, in his view, to be applied differently depending on who was displaying large sums of money.

"Imagine if an ordinary Zimbabwean displayed a million dollars cash — the RBZ Financial Intelligence Unit would be demanding answers about where the money came from. But when it comes from the oligarchs, questions suddenly disappear," he said.

"The pulpit, which should speak truth to power, is being captured by power."

The opposition politician urged Zimbabweans not to become discouraged by what he described as the growing relationship between political power, wealth and sections of the church.

Instead, he called on citizens to use their collective strength to defend democratic values and the country's Constitution.

"The oligarchs may have money, luxury cars, and political power, but they do not have what the people possess — numbers, courage, truth, and an unbreakable determination to reclaim their country," he said.

"Zimbabwe does not belong to ED, Zanu-PF, or the oligarchs. Zimbabwe belongs to its people, and the Church belongs to God."

Ngarivhume ended his message with a call for citizens to unite against political intimidation and the alleged buying of influence.

"We will not be bought. We will not be intimidated. We will not surrender our country, our Constitution, or our future," he declared.