Tinotenda Hove- Zanu PF online activist Cleopas Mukungunugwa on Thursday praised President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s commissioning of the Vineyard Assembly of the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) in Zimbabwe in Knowe, Norton, but the event has once again raised questions over the government’s growing association with religious institutions while many Zimbabweans continue to grapple with economic hardships.

Mukungunugwa described the occasion as “a historic day for faith and nation building,” arguing that the church remains central to Zimbabwe’s development agenda.
“Today, His Excellency President Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa officially commissioned the Vineyard Assembly of the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) in Zimbabwe in Knowe, Norton, marking another significant milestone in the partnership between Government and the Church in advancing national development,” he said.

He claimed churches play an essential role in shaping society, saying they are responsible for “instilling moral values, promoting peace, strengthening families, fostering unity, and providing hope to communities.” According to Mukungunugwa, “faith-based institutions remain indispensable partners in building a disciplined, compassionate, and prosperous nation.”

The activist also highlighted the President’s donation of vehicles to the church, saying Mnangagwa “supported the church’s construction efforts and officially handed over a brand-new 36-seater bus together with additional ministry motor vehicles.”

He argued that the vehicles would “strengthen the church’s outreach programmes, enabling it to reach more communities with the message of hope while expanding its social and humanitarian initiatives.”

Mukungunugwa further said the President appreciated the reception he received in Norton, claiming the warm welcome demonstrated “the strong bond that exists between the Church and the nation.”

He maintained that partnerships between government and religious organisations remain important in pursuing Vision 2030, insisting they are necessary for building a country founded on “peace, integrity, hard work, compassion, and shared prosperity.”

However, the latest church donations are likely to fuel renewed criticism from those who argue that government resources and attention should be directed towards struggling public hospitals, schools, roads and other essential services instead of high-profile political engagements with religious institutions.

Critics say the timing of the donation, amid shortages in public health facilities and underfunded schools, reflects a troubling collision of faith and politics at a time when citizens are demanding basic service delivery.