The ManicaPost
Samuel Kadungure
Senior Reporter
THE church has added its voice on calls for the unconditional removal of sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe, highlighting that the coercive measures are fuelling social injustice.
Several church leaders have unanimously said the economic embargoes, imposed on the southern African nation in 2001 through the so-called Zimbabwe Development and Recovery Act (ZIDERA), are making it impossible for the country to secure credit lines and foreign direct investments, thereby constricting the country’s economy.
Church leaders who spoke to The Manica Post said the sanctions are illegal, unjust and vindictive.
The Apostolic Faith Mission in Zimbabwe president, Bishop Amon Dubie Madawo said the sanctions are a form of punishment imposed on Zimbabwe for challenging the disproportionate distribution of national resources in favour of the white community and embarking on the land reform programme.
“The church, as an agent, can comment on anything. It has its own voice on this sanctions story because they are affecting the generality of Zimbabweans. They are an albatross around the neck of Christians and the generality of the population.
“There is misinformation that the sanctions are targeted at certain individuals, yet their debilitating impact is affecting all of us. They are affecting the whole nation.
“Their victims are innocent people whom we preach to everyday and these are people who are not in decision-making positions. These sanctions are not helping, but hurting the people of Zimbabwe.
“Our country and economy could be doing much better without them. We cannot secure credit lines and foreign direct investments as a result of these sanctions, meaning they are stiffling economic growth,” said Bishop Madawo.
Bishop Madawo made the comments during the AFM in Zimbabwe General Conference in Chikanga suburb of Mutare over the weekend.
“As church leaders, we are saying the sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe must be removed. It is not wrong for us to demand our liberty in terms of our land, economy and democratic space. The people of Zimbabwe cannot be subjected to this kind of torture and suffering simply because they took back their land and corrected racially-induced disproportionate distribution of national resources.
“Zimbabwe is an independent nation that should attain its socio-economic self-actualisation. Historically, the land belonged to the black people and it was taken away from us, so why should we be punished for correcting a historical injustice? Why should we suffer for claiming back our land? These sanctions must be removed, they are not for any good to anyone,” said Bishop Madawo.
Acting secretary general of the Gospel of God Church International (Johane Masowe), Elder Nelson Maturure also said the sanctions are affecting ordinary people’s livelihoods.
“Christians should feed the hungry and visit the sick. Christians should inspire hope but these sanctions are affecting our daily lives. As kingdom workers, the sanctions are affecting us and the church.
“They have compromised our livelihoods. This is why we are unapologetic in our call and prayer for the removal of these sanctions,” he said.
Dr Ricky Moyo, president of the Council for Churches in Africa, a faith-based coalition of churches, said the time for the removal of sanctions is now as are slowing down the country’s economic growth.
The growing calls for the lifting of the sanctions come as the SADC Anti-Sanctions Day draws closer.
SADC countries declared October 25 a day to demonstrate regional solidarity with Zimbabwe against the illegal sanctions.
The regional block as well as the African Union has called for the unconditional removal of the sanctions on Zimbabwe, with regional leaders highlighting that the measures are not only hurting Zimbabwe, but the entire African continent.
The economic sanctions were imposed on Zimbabwe by Britain, the United States of America and their Western allies for alleged violation of human rights, the rule of law and property rights, at the turn of the millenium.
However, the measures were vetoed by Russia and China.
The veto meant that Zimbabwe should not be punished by any member of the United Nations.
The fact that Zimbabwe is under sanctions without the endorsement of the United Nations means that the embargoes are not only illegal, but also a declaration of war upon the entire nation; hence the need to lift them immediately.
