Staff Reporter

President Mnangagwa has reiterated that his Government will not brook corruption in all its varied forms and urged the Church to help combat societal vices such corruption, gender based violence and child marriages.

Speaking at the launch of the African Christian Council International (ACCI) Zimbabwe Chapter in Doneni, Kadoma yesterday, the President urged ACCI leader, Bishop Johannes Ndanga and other church leaders to help nip societal vices in the bud before they erode the moral fabric of the society.

"Equally, we must, through your organization, see a paradigm shift towards supporting programmes that nip in the bud vices such as hate for one's country, corruption, crime, child marriages, gender based violence, the abuse of drugs as well as other retrogressive belief systems," said President Mnangagwa.

The President applauded the role Christian leaders were playing in promoting diverse Christian values that help make a better society.

“I applaud the role that Archbishop Johannes Nyamwa Ndanga and other prominent religious leaders under the banner of the Apostolic Christian Council are playing to collectively preserve, protect and promote our rich and diverse religious and Christian values. These values have kept us on the course of peace, unity, harmony and sustainable socio-economic development,” said President Mnangagwa.

President Mnangagwa urged the Church leaders to insulate their members from being used as willing tools for regime change.

“Your efforts to call for the unconditional removal of illegal sanctions imposed on our country by some Western countries are most welcome. As you guide and oversee the growth of your membership, I urge you to insulate your membership from being used as willing tools to advance alien and foreign agendas,” added the President.

President Mnangagwa pledged to support the Church with resources to fulfill its evangelical mission.

"With regards to your special appeal for Church stands and other lines of support, the Second Republic is ready to support you in this endeavor. Already under the Presidential Borehole Drilling Programme, I am pleased that we have sunk and equipped a borehole here," said President Mnangagwa.

The President told congregants that the country's economy was on an upward trend due to an increase in production in the mining sector, followed by robust infrastructure development.

Meanwhile, President Mnangagwa challenged religious leaders to remain true and committed to their church’s founding values adding that he expected to receive a detailed and concise roadmap on how the church intends to partner the people of Zimbabwe and the Government in the quest to realise Vision 2030.