Regime, Religion and the Consolidation of Zanu-PFism in Zimbabwe

Bekithemba Dube is a research Professor at Central University of Technology, Welkom Campus, South Africa.

This collection focuses on the role of religious leaders and religious institutions in supporting or resisting the democratization process in Zimbabwe. It scrutinizes the actions of religious leaders such Andrew Wutawunashe and Jeremiah Mutendi who were prominent in the political scene and participated as enablers of the undemocratic regime. The contributors to this volume employ a variety of methodological approaches to understand the operational dilemma of the second republic under Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, commonly referred to as Zanupfism. It is an empirical study to determine the impact of religious leaders as regime enablers and assess the effects of such an approach in terms of social development, democracy, and social transformation as espoused in the rise of the second republic. In order to balance the narrative, the book highlights and offers critique of religious leaders and institutes who are the resistors of the regime. It specifically explores the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference, Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Council of Churches, Talent Chiwenga and Shingi Munyeza. This is a critical study of decoloniality in a religious context that documents characters such as Shingi Mayeza, Bishop Mutendi, Mapostori who seldomly appear in scholarship despite their great impact (either positive or negative) on the lives of the people of Zimbabwe.

1. Zanu-PFism due to Stockholm Syndrome, and its Trajectories in Post-Independence Zimbabwe. Juxtaposing the Role of Religion in Thwarting Democracy.- 2. Mixing up Priorities? Propagation of Uncritical Patriotism of Zanu-PF by the Church in Zimbabwe.- 3. The (Catholic) Church and Resistance to Zanu-PFism in Zimbabwe.- 4. God or President Emmerson Mnangagwa? Romans 13:1-7 in Zimbabwe's Contemporary Church and Election.- 5. Adventist Silence in the Face of Oppression as a Way to Enact Zanu-PFism in Zimbabwe.- 6. Hearing the Loud Voices of the Silent Church in Zimbabwe.- 7. Man of God/Gold and Zanu-PFism in Zimbabwe: The Case of Makandiwa and Angel.- 8. A Critical Evaluation of Bishop Ancelimo Magaya's Resistance to Zanu-PFism in Zimbabwe.- 9. CCCism vs. Zanu-PFism: Religious Response of the Citizens Coalition for Change to the Zanu-PF.- 10. Religion and the Consolidation of the Zanu-PF Political Ideology.