Story by Cordelia Ngara
THE Zimbabwe Indigenous Interdenominational Council of Churches (ZIICC) has congratulated President Emmerson Mnangagwa after his re-election in the just-ended General Elections.
In a joint statement, ZIICC patron and leader of the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) Bishop Nehemiah Mutendi as well as ZIIC Chairperson and Chairman of the Faith for the Nation Campaign Reverend Andrew Wutawunashe rallied the nation to pray for President Mnangagwa for God to grant him the wisdom to continue leading the nation on a trajectory of remarkable restoration, reconstruction, and development.
The church leaders said Zimbabwean democracy has come of age after holding a peaceful and dignified plebiscite.
The church further commended the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission for doing everything possible to ensure every registered voter got the opportunity to cast their ballots, in the face of unexpected logistical challenges which saw an extra voting day being pronounced in affected areas.
Bishop Mutendi and Reverend Wutawunashe noted the need for the church to continue praying for peace, unity, and progress of the nation with political leaders being encouraged to honour the peace pledge they signed before the general elections.
Meanwhile, the church has commended the peaceful environment prevailing in the country after the general election.
“The post-election period in terms of peace so far is quite commendable. As pastors for ED, we had structures across provinces and our membership had been conducting prayers for peace, clearly they did a sterling job.
“We applaud the peace that has been prevailing. Our work is just starting now and again we are very happy as pastors for ED. It is business as usual and over and above we had a peaceful election that we’ve never witnessed in the history of this country. We commend the president and state institutions for ensuring that there was indeed peace,” said the national secretary general of Pastors for ED, Dr Lesley Marisa.
Various progressive organisations and individuals have concurred that the 2023 General Elections rank among the most peaceful since 1980.
