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Outrage As Zanu PF Heavyweight Seizes Pulpit In Gutu \u2026<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
Tinashe Sambiri\u2013 Outrage has erupted after Lovemore Matuke, Minister of State for National Security and a ZANU-PF Politburo member, used the pulpit at the 2026 Easter Conference of Bethlehem International Church to push government agendas, raising concerns about the politicization of worship.<\/p>\n
The conference, which drew hundreds of congregants, became a stage for political messaging rather than spiritual guidance.
Addressing the crowd, Matuke called on churches to actively support the government\u2019s development projects, tying religious influence to political loyalty.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a Government, we are encouraged by the role that our indigenous churches play in supporting development within our communities and at the national level. Bethlehem International Church is among our indigenous churches that continue to pray for peace in our country,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He went further to link the church\u2019s support to ongoing constitutional changes: \u201cI urge you to be part of the development trajectory that our government is taking, led by President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa. Right now, we are working on the Constitutional Amendment Number 3 Bill, and the church has been supportive because they understood the route that we are taking to improve governance within our country.\u201d<\/p>\n
Archbishop Edborn Gwatidzo reinforced the government-aligned message, stating that the church continues to cooperate closely with ZANU-PF initiatives.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a church, our role is to pray for peace, unity and development in our country. We want to thank our government for supporting our indigenous churches by giving us freedom of worship, and as Bethlehem International Church, we do not take that for granted. We work with the government,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Gwatidzo also highlighted that the church\u2019s congregants are beneficiaries of government programmes, encouraging them to participate in projects championed by the ruling party. \u201cThey have been very supportive in ensuring we have places to worship, we worship freely, and we benefit from their development programmes.<\/p>\n
Again, we support all the development programmes that our government is implementing in our communities because our congregants are beneficiaries of those programmes, and we continue to encourage them to be part of those development initiatives,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Critics say the event exposes how the ruling party is increasingly using religious platforms to cement political influence, turning spaces meant for spiritual guidance into arenas for government propaganda.<\/p>\n
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