'Political jackals' should not spearhead united front

THE Professor Welshman Ncube-led MDC says churches in Zimbabwe should be the ones spearheading the coming together of opposition parties as opposed to "political jackals" which the party argues do not have the people at heart.

This comes as opposition parties are reported to be on the stages of forming a "convention of democrats" with the view of creating a new political discourse that would bring positive change for Zimbabwe.

In an interview with Radio Dialogue, MDC Secretary for International Relations, Kurauone Chihwayi, said for such a coalition to survive it must be led by nonpartisan individuals and organisations therefore churches were better suited for that role.

He explained this coming together was supposed to be a positive collective effort where people worked towards reconstructing Zimbabwe.

"It is better for this coalition to be led, spearheaded and controlled by the churches instead of having any one of the political players directing controls."

Chiwhayi highlighted MDC or any other grouping should not allow another political party to call the shots and claim it was building a coalition because that would be self defeating.

"MDC-T, Mavambo Kusile Dawn, Zapu cannot invite us to a meeting and tell us what to do then call it a coalition, the same way Dynamos can't call other football teams and tell them how to play soccer. Honesty figures have to spearhead this process. We don't want greedy people, or overly ambitious people known for selfishness and for greed," he said.

The success of the coalition, Chiwhayi noted was a unique opportunity for Zimbabweans, for them to speak with one voice instead of confronting challenges in a fragmented manner.

"Everything starts from political change, that is what we have to address. We have political problems in the country. There is an insincere political leadership running government issues, people who have a tendency of lying and cheating. This has to change and crucial engagement is required from everyone such as churches, political parties and civic society. It is wrong to exclude anyone form this process," he said.

Churches, the MDC official underlined, were the preferred guardianship, as already they had been involved in the formation of the movement for democratic change and knew people's expectations.

"This situation calls for impartial Zimbabweans who will spearhead this convention, honest people wearing one jacket, known to be be straightforward, serious and have a soft heart. Of course we cannot trust some individuals like (Nolbert) Kunonga (excommunicated Anglican Bishop) who sing for their supper or anyone aligned to MDC. If there are such individuals, they would be exposed. We don't want jackals or lions lying to the nation," Chiwayi said.

However, analysts had mixed opinions about the church meddling in a political process.

A social commentator, Khanyile Mlotshwa noted there was nothing wrong with churches holding political parties' hands, as they had always been political in their work.

He said the connection between religion and politics was strong and cited Africa's struggle for liberation where indigenous churches and religious figures stood out against colonialism.

"Even today some churches or their leaders are politically aligned. Some prominent church leaders have come out clean purporting to support certain political parties. Whatever the churches do with this (convention), it will be a continuation of something that has always been happening."

Mlotshwa continued: "Whether churches stay out of or are involved in it, preaching the gospel according to Jesus Christ, they cannot escape to be labelled politics. Jesus Christ was killed by the Jewish political and religious leaders of that time because they saw his gospel as threatening their political power. It is similar with religious leaders today. If pastors prays that young people find jobs in Zimbabwe today, they are making a political statement about the government's failure to run the economy, in general, and failure to create jobs, in particular. I find it hypocritical and senseless to say churches should stay out of this."

He also gave an example of one archbishop, Oscar Romero, who was shot from behind, while preaching in a church in El Savador, Spain because he was preaching social justice to the masses.

"Nothing scares political leaders as reminding them that God sides with the poor that they oppress daily," Mlotshwa summed.

However another commentator, Thomas Sithole disagreed and said churches should not associate themselves with political actions in order to preserve their purity.

"I don't think churches are ideal because that will erode their credibility and integrity if they meddle in politics. The church should come in and help political parties find solutions and as such they need to be impartial and independent of these political formations. I think by coming into the political fray they will be compromising that role they play of mediating and providing guidance and a voice of reason which is usually in short supply from our political formations," he said.