AFM President Amon Madawo Backs Mnangagwa's Extended Rule

• Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) president Amon Madawo publicly declared his allegiance to ZANU PF.
• President Emmerson Mnangagwa donated US$300,400 and a bus to the AFM Vineyard Assembly project.
• ZANU PF Central Committee member Kudakwashe Tagwirei donated US$1 million to the church's youth department in April.
• Madawo prayed for Mnangagwa's continued tenure in office during the AFM celebrations.

This country is in the hands of ZANU PF and I am a ZANU PF (member), said Madawo.

Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) president Amon Madawo has been making headlines for his public declaration of allegiance to the ruling ZANU PF party. The AFM Vineyard Assembly church building in Norton, which was completed with significant financial support from President Emmerson Mnangagwa, was the venue for this announcement. Construction on the church began in 2009 but stalled before Mnangagwa intervened, providing a substantial donation of US$300,400, as well as a bus and a top-of-the-range vehicle, to help complete the project. The President also presented Madawo with a Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series ZX as a personal gift in June. This support follows another significant donation made by ZANU PF Central Committee member Kudakwashe Tagwirei to the church's youth department in April, amounting to US$1 million.

Madawo's declaration of allegiance to ZANU PF comes at a time when President Mnangagwa has extended his term in office until 2030 following the passage of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Act. While this constitutional amendment has been criticized by opposition parties, constitutional lawyers, and civil society groups, some ZANU PF officials have begun calling for Mnangagwa's tenure to be extended beyond 2030, despite the two-term presidential limit set by the Constitution. This development raises questions about the political neutrality of church leaders like Madawo, who now openly declare their allegiance to a ruling party.

The implications of church leaders openly declaring allegiance to a ruling party are significant and far-reaching. Lawyers and compliance officers should be aware that such declarations may raise concerns about political neutrality and potential conflicts of interest. The fact that Madawo, as AFM president, has publicly stated his allegiance to ZANU PF highlights the need for greater scrutiny of church donations from government officials or ruling party members. This is particularly relevant given the substantial financial support provided by Mnangagwa to the AFM Vineyard Assembly project.

Lawyers and compliance officers should watch for the implications of church leaders openly declaring allegiance to a ruling party, which may raise concerns about political neutrality and potential conflicts of interest.

Source: Original reporting via New Zimbabwe