…Chamisa could be a nuisance, but price of ignoring
would be dear
would be dear
Upenyu
Chaota
Chaota
Zion Christian Church (ZCC) leader Bishop Dr Nehemiah
Mutendi has challenged President Emmerson Mnangagwa to engage the opposition
MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa and all opposing voices for the good of the
country.
Mutendi has challenged President Emmerson Mnangagwa to engage the opposition
MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa and all opposing voices for the good of the
country.
Speaking in barely veiled language during the Kudzika
Gomo conference at Mbungo which also doubled as his belated birthday, Bishop
Mutendi, who turned 76 on September 15, described the opposition as a
‘nuisance’, but was quick to warn against ignoring that nuisance.
Gomo conference at Mbungo which also doubled as his belated birthday, Bishop
Mutendi, who turned 76 on September 15, described the opposition as a
‘nuisance’, but was quick to warn against ignoring that nuisance.
President Mnangagwa and First Lady Auxillia graced the
event which saw members of the ZCC also praying for the rains as the rainy
season approaches.
event which saw members of the ZCC also praying for the rains as the rainy
season approaches.
“You may call them opposition asi muzukuru (President
Mnangagwa), tora zvana ugare nazvo pasi mutaurirane nekuti zvikatorwa nevatorwa
hamuzozvigoni. Rambai muchingotaura nazvo chero zvichiita sepwere, ndozvinoita
vanhu vakuru. Nyoka huru haizvirumi torai mutaurirane muwirirane (Initiate
dialogue with those youngsters. Even though they could be a real nuisance, be
the bigger brother, talk to them and reach an understanding lest they are used
by detractors to make the situation impossible for you),” said Mutendi in
apparent reference to creating dialogue with Chamisa.
Mnangagwa), tora zvana ugare nazvo pasi mutaurirane nekuti zvikatorwa nevatorwa
hamuzozvigoni. Rambai muchingotaura nazvo chero zvichiita sepwere, ndozvinoita
vanhu vakuru. Nyoka huru haizvirumi torai mutaurirane muwirirane (Initiate
dialogue with those youngsters. Even though they could be a real nuisance, be
the bigger brother, talk to them and reach an understanding lest they are used
by detractors to make the situation impossible for you),” said Mutendi in
apparent reference to creating dialogue with Chamisa.
He called on President Mnangagwa not to slam the door
on dialogue and listen to the voice of the opposition no matter how silly and
stupid they could be.
on dialogue and listen to the voice of the opposition no matter how silly and
stupid they could be.
“Go and speak to your boys, go and speak to your
people. Don’t slam the door on opposition, you have said you are a listening
President so go and listen to their stories no matter how stupid and silly they
may be.
people. Don’t slam the door on opposition, you have said you are a listening
President so go and listen to their stories no matter how stupid and silly they
may be.
“Listen, convince them. You are a sacrificial leader
and a great leader must have gone through great sacrifices. You are mature
enough work together the young and the old. Find positions for them in
government and work together,” said Mutendi.
and a great leader must have gone through great sacrifices. You are mature
enough work together the young and the old. Find positions for them in
government and work together,” said Mutendi.
President Mnangagwa, in his response, seemed be both
defiant and open to dialogue by saying he was in office by Devine will
therefore those who disagreed with him were on the wrong side. He, however,
emphasised his usual mantra that he was a ‘listening’ leader.
defiant and open to dialogue by saying he was in office by Devine will
therefore those who disagreed with him were on the wrong side. He, however,
emphasised his usual mantra that he was a ‘listening’ leader.
“All those who
have seen the light have voted for me because I was chosen by God. All the
leaders here on earth are chosen by God and if you side with the God-chosen
leader, it means you are on the side of God.
have seen the light have voted for me because I was chosen by God. All the
leaders here on earth are chosen by God and if you side with the God-chosen
leader, it means you are on the side of God.
“If you voted against me, it means you are not on the
side of God but there is still time to repent and join others.
side of God but there is still time to repent and join others.
“I promise to be a listening President. I will go to
the people and dialogue. Things which can be resolved we will resolve but those
that are impossible we will say so. We do not want violence but we have a task
to bring glory to our country,” said Mnangagwa.
the people and dialogue. Things which can be resolved we will resolve but those
that are impossible we will say so. We do not want violence but we have a task
to bring glory to our country,” said Mnangagwa.
