Regime, Religion and the Consolidation of Zanu-PFism in Zimbabwe: When Religion Becomes a Threat to Democracy (African Histories and Modernities)

This collection focuses on the role of religious leaders and religious institutions in supporting or resisting the democratization process in Zimbabwe. It scrutinizes the actions of religious leaders such Andrew Wutawunashe and Jeremiah Mutendi who were prominent in the political scene and participated as enablers of the undemocratic regime. The contributors to this volume employ a variety of methodological approaches to understand the operational dilemma of the second republic under Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, commonly referred to as Zanupfism. It is an empirical study to determine the impact of religious leaders as regime enablers and assess the effects of such an approach in terms of social development, democracy, and social transformation as espoused in the rise of the second republic. In order to balance the narrative, the book highlights and offers critique of religious leaders and institutes who are the resistors of the regime. It specifically explores the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference, Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Council of Churches, Talent Chiwenga and Shingi Munyeza. This is a critical study of decoloniality in a religious context that documents characters such as Shingi Mayeza, Bishop Mutendi, Mapostori who seldomly appear in scholarship despite their great impact (either positive or negative) on the lives of the people of Zimbabwe. Acknowledgements Contents List of Contributors Abbreviations Chapter 1: ZANU-PF as Stockholm Syndrome, and Its Trajectories in Post-Independence Zimbabwe. Juxtaposing the Role of Religion in Thwarting Democracy Introduction Contextualisation of Stockholm Syndrome in Relation to Zanu-PFism Genesis of Zanu-PFism in Zimbabwe Theoretical Framework: Gramsci’s Concept of Hegemony Building Blocks of Zanu-PFism: Religion as a Source Using Religious Leaders to Perpetrate Violence Towards People with Different Ideology Enacting and Buttressing Propaganda Politics of Reciprocity with a Few Religious Leaders Comparing Political Leaders to the Messiah Dividing the Prophetic Voice Religious Leaders Use Zanu-PFism to Avoid Accountability Impact of Zanu-PFism on Religion and Democracy Conclusion References Chapter 2: Mixing up Priorities? Propagation of Uncritical Patriotism of Zanu-PF by the Church in Zimbabwe Introduction and Background A Public Theological Assessment of Uncritical Patriotism Patriotism as Defined by Zanu-PF The Emergence and Growth of Patriotic Christianity in Zimbabwe Uncritical Patriotism and Mixing of Priorities by the Church Towards a Critical Patriotism That Advances the Priorities of the Kingdom of God Conclusion References Chapter 3: The (Catholic) Church and Resistance to Zanu-PFism in Zimbabwe Introduction The (Catholic) Church and Resistance to Zanu-PFism in Zimbabwe The ZCBC Pastoral Letters On the 40th Anniversary of Zimbabwe’s Independence (2 April 2020) Unpacking ‘On the 40th Anniversary of Zimbabwe’s Independence’ The March Is not Ended (14 August 2020) Unpacking ‘The March has not Ended’ Understanding Zanu-PFism in Zimbabwe Understanding the Church in Zimbabwe The Church’s Resistance to Zanu-PFism in Zimbabwe Conclusion References Chapter 4: God or President Emmerson Mnangagwa? Romans 13:1–7 in Zimbabwe’s Contemporary Church and Elections Introduction Of Plots and Coups: Zanu-PFism from Robert Mugabe to Emmerson Mnangagwa Romans 13 Background Reconciling Romans 13, the Biblical Canon, and the Ideology of Pastors4ED Inclusio, Christology, and Caesar Honour the Office Rather Than the Officer Charting the Way Forward—Theologically Challenging Partisan Church and Zanu-PFism Conclusion References Chapter 5: Adventist Silence in the Face of Oppression as a Way to Enact Zanu-PFism in Zimbabwe Introduction Background to the Study Kudakwashe Regimond Tagwirei and Empire Building Spree The Person of Tagwirei and His Business Empire Tagwirei and Command Agriculture Tagwirei’s Money Laundering and SDA Sponsorship Strategy Tagwirei’s Support of the Church and Its Pastors Importing State Violence into the Seventh Day Adventist Church The Moral Effects of Tagwirei on the Seventh Day Adventist Church Early Interventions of Zanu-PF into the Adventist Landscape: Sponsoring Solusi Resistance of the Seventh Day Adventist Church to State Intrusion Conclusion References Chapter 6: Hearing the Loud Voices of the Silent Church in Zimbabwe Introduction Overviewing and Problematising Zanu-PFism Conceptualising the Silent Church in Zimbabwe Historicising Church and Political Engagements in Zimbabwe The Case of Pius Alick Mvundla Ncube The Case of Evan Mawarire Enter Passion Java Enter Uebert Angel Evaluating Confrontational vis-á-vis Diplomatic Approaches to the Zimbabwean Situation Discerning the Voice of the Silent Church The Spiritual Voice of the Church The Social Voice of the Church The Economic Voice of the Church The Political Voice of the Church Summary and Conclusions References Chapter 7: Man of God/Gold and Zanu-PFism in Zimbabwe: The Case of Makandiwa and Angel Introduction: Locating the Problem of Makandiwa and Angel in the Zimbabwean Crisis Zanu-PFism and the Capture of the Prophetic Movement Theorisation: Decoloniality The Man of God and Gold: The Case of Emmanuel Makandiwa Gold Mafia: The Case of Uebert Angel and the Smuggling of Gold from Zimbabwe Religion Within Zanu-PFism: What Is Available for the General Populace? Conclusion References Chapter 8: A Critical Evaluation of Bishop Ancelimo Magaya’s Resistance to Zanu-PFism in Zimbabwe Introduction Defining Zanu-PFism Contextualising Religious Adoption and Resistance of the Regime in Zimbabwe Magaya’s Conceptualisation of Church and Politics in Response to Zanu-PFism Bishop Magaya’s Advocacy for Poor and Dismembered People Who Resist Oppression Calling for the Resignation of Former President Mugabe Magaya’s Response to Idolatry: Mbuya Nehanda Reprimanding Political Leaders for Their Unrepentant Attitudes Magaya’s Reflections on the 41st Year of Zimbabwe’s Independence with Zanu-PFism Condemnation of Unjustified Incarceration of Opposition Legislators The Ideals of Magaya and Biblical Prophecy on Political Engagement Refusing to be Silenced by Politicians Final Remarks About Magaya’s Political Involvement in Zimbabwe Summary and Conclusion References Chapter 9: CCCism Versus Zanu-PFism: Religious Response of the Citizens Coalition for Change to the Zanu-PF Introduction The Founding of the Citizen Coalition for Change in Zimbabwe President Mnangagwa, Zanu-PFism, and Religious Leaders Chamisa’s Critical View of Traditional Religion (Isaiah 8:19) Chamisa, CCCism, and Madzibaba veShanduko Resigning Political Decisions to the Sanction of God God of Peace Versus God of War Final Remarks on CCC’s Response to Zanu-PFism in Zimbabwe Conclusion References Chapter 10: Religion and the Consolidation of the Zanu-PF Political Ideology Introduction Convergence in Church-State Relations: Between the Bible and the Sword Wutawunashe and Zanu-PF Politics Uebert Angel and Zanu-PF Politics The White Garment Apostolic Churches and Zanu-PF Politics Emmanuel Makandiwa and Zanu-PF Politics Conclusion References