Tsvangirai forced to cancel church visit

Morgan Tsvangirai was forced to cancel his scheduled visit to
the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) Mbungo Shrine in Defe, Gokwe at the last
minute after state security agents reportedly threatened and intimidated the
church with unspecified action.
Tsvangirai was invited to address the ZCC's annual conference at Defe Dopota
at the weekend but the church cancelled the programme citing threats and
intimidation by unnamed state security agents.
ZCC said state security agents ordered them to remove PM Tsvangirai's name
from the list of invited guests.
The issue became desperate when the church tried to resist the move. The
church insisted that if PM Tsvangirai was stopped from addressing the
congregation then no politician would be allowed to address them.
Vice President John Nkomo and MDC-M vice president Gibson Sibanda were among
the invited guests.
The politicians were expected to address ZCC members on the on-going
national healing and reconciliation process. The ZCC is one of the biggest
churches in Zimbabwe and in the region.
PM Tsvangirai's spokesperson James Maridadi, confirmed the last minute
cancellation of the Gokwe meeting in the Midlands province after reports of
intimidation and threats.