CHURCH IS NOT A ZANU PF STAGE

A very big mistake happened in Nyanga, Manicaland, when Sports Minister Anselem Sanyatwe said shocking political words during a church event. He told the people that ZANU PF will rule Zimbabwe forever until donkeys grow horns. Many people were angry. Many were confused. Even the church members felt disrespected because they did not expect such words in a holy place. What was supposed to be a simple church program became a political show that many people did not want.

Sanyatwe did not go alone. He was with his wife, Chido. Rich businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei was also there with his wife, Sandra. The event was organised by the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Nyanga North. Tagwirei even made donations during the evangelistic campaign. But the purpose of the event was spiritual. It was not a place for politics. But instead of letting people worship in peace, Sanyatwe chose to push a political message.

After people spoke out and showed anger, Sanyatwe apologised to the church. His apology only came after the church leaders told him directly that what he did was wrong. The Seventh-Day Adventist Church made it very clear that politics is not allowed in their church programs. They said the church must be a safe place for everyone. They do not want their events used by any political party.

Zibusiso Trust Ndlovu, who is the executive secretary of the Zimbabwe East Union Conference of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, wrote a strong letter on behalf of the church. He said the church is apolitical. This means the church does not support any political party. He said the church does not allow political speeches inside its buildings or events. He said this rule is non-negotiable. No one should break it, no matter who they are.

The church said they can welcome government leaders as guests, but they never give them permission to use the pulpit for politics. The leadership said what Sanyatwe did was not planned and the church did not approve it. They spoke to him quickly and told him his words were wrong. That is when Sanyatwe apologised on the same day.

This whole issue shows something very sad. It shows that some government officials do not respect the church. They try to use any chance they get to push ZANU PF messages, even in holy places. This is wrong. People do not go to church for politics. They go to pray. They go for peace. They go to find strength. It is not right for anyone to turn the church into a campaign rally.

The Adventist Church gave a very strong message. They said their work is to preach the gospel. They are preparing people for the return of Jesus Christ. They are not helping ZANU PF to stay in power. They even reminded everyone of the Bible verse John 18:36, which says, “My kingdom is not of this world.” This means the church must focus on God, not politics.

They also told members to follow the proper way when solving problems in the church. They said people must follow Bible teachings by first speaking to someone privately, then bringing others, and then going to church leadership if needed.

This incident must be a warning to all politicians. The church is not your stage. The church belongs to God. If we allow this behaviour to continue, soon there will be no safe place left in Zimbabwe. Every event will become a political rally, even funerals and weddings.

The people of Zimbabwe are watching. They are tired. They are angry. And they are slowly waking up. Sanyatwe’s apology is not enough. What we need is a full end to this kind of behaviour. Let the church be the church. Let people worship in peace. And let ZANU PF stop turning every platform into a tool for control.