'Church leaders blundered,' say analysts

CHURCH leaders who yesterday swore their allegiance to First Lady Grace Mugabe made a blunder that will soil their reputation in their religious ministries, analysts have said.

Grace meeting with church leaders from various religious establishments, mainly Pentecostal churches at her Mazoe Orphanage yesterday turned into a bootlicking contest as men of the cloth took turns in pampering the First Lady with praises and even making prophetic pronouncements of her success in her up-and-coming political careers.

But the move by the clergy to align themselves to Grace Mugabe received mixed feelings from some sections of society with pundits asserting that the man of God made a serious blunder which might have ripple effects in their pastoral work.

Some churches in Zimbabwe – notably the Vapostori Sect has in the past tried to align themselves with President Mugabe – although the latter is a baptized Roman Catholic Church follower, in a bid to get political refuge from the aging leader who has more often than not promised to give them land if they vote him during presidential elections.

But yesterday's meeting, although Grace's sympathizers tried to publicize it as 'clean' affair was seen as a ploy by the power-hungry Grace to solicit support from churches whose following has always tempted politicians during their campaigns.

Ironically, church leaders from mainstream denominations such as the Catholic Church, Seventh Day Adventists, Brethren and Anglican among others did not attend.
"The fact that certain religious leaders have allowed themselves to be willing tools for politicians is a sad indictment on the churches they lead, "Lenox Mhlanga a social commentator said.

"The question one readily asks is whether they have the mandate of their flock in endorsing this or the other politician's quest for high office. It is also instructive that mainstream churches have not jumped onto the bandwagon.

"I am sure they are more wary of the reputational consequences of endorsing politicians of a particular hue. Perhaps they have little of a reputation to protect. Pray for our leaders they may, but to endorse political office!

But some sections of society feel that the church leaders might have received a golden handshake.

"She must be dishing out some money to these Pentecostal church leaders. Honestly, she is blundering her way into trouble," a political analyst who spoke strictly on condition of anonymity said.

Journalist-turned-academic Khanyile Mlotshwa said: "To be crude, it is all about those churches that are pliable to use. From the side of the churches I see it is a continuation of gospel entrepreneurship and mainline churches are of a different orientation from the prosperity gospel brigades."

Suspiciously yesterday Grace pleaded with the men of the cloth to appeal to their congregants to join Zanu-PF and buy membership cards as a show of their unwavering support to the First Family.

The desperate clergy also courted Grace to become their patron so that she can present a plethora of their grievances to her husband Mugabe.