Zimbabwe: Afm Leader Madawo Backtracks On Zanu-PF Support, Insists Church Is Non-Partisan After Mnangagwa Praise

What the report says

Apostolic Faith Mission in Zimbabwe leader Amon Madawo has said the church is politically neutral after drawing criticism for publicly backing ZANU-PF and praising President Emmerson Mnangagwa, according to New Zimbabwe via AllAfrica. The remarks come amid concern from some AFM members that his earlier comments appeared to place the church close to the ruling party.

The article says Madawo had recently spoken positively about Mnangagwa’s role in supporting an AFM church project in Norton, which began in 2002 and later stalled. It also reports that Mnangagwa donated US$304,000 to the church and provided a bus and a luxury vehicle, developments that helped prompt questions about the church’s political stance. Madawo leads one AFM faction after a split tied to an internal power struggle with Cossam Chiyangwa’s group.

At a conference in Masvingo, Madawo said AFM is a spiritual, non-partisan church made up of people from different backgrounds and that it does not align with political ambitions. He also said the church sees government as a partner in improving people’s lives rather than an opponent. In June, he received a Toyota Land Cruiser from Mnangagwa, adding to the sensitivity around the relationship. The episode matters because it highlights the tension that can arise when religious leaders accept state support while trying to maintain institutional neutrality.