Mugabe support for sect land invasion
Feb 5, 2011 11:44 PM | By VLADIMIR MZACA
The battle to lure the support of one of the biggest religious movements in
Zimbabwe has resulted in President Robert Mugabe giving the Vapostori sect
permission to invade a farm owned by a white commercial farmer in
Matabeleland South.
The Vapostori (apostles) religious group has an estimated one million
followers countrywide, making it an important political constituency.
Its numbers are swelled by a high birth rate and polygamous marriages that
are permitted by the religion.
In December an army of men in white garments from Masvingo Province in the
southeastern part of the country, together with their families, invaded
Lydead Ranch in Marula owned by Garry Rosenfels.
The sect arrived in buses, claiming to have permission from the president to
take over the ranch.
Rosenfels confirmed the invasion of his farm by the religious men.
“They are settled at my farm. That is all I can say for now,” he said.
The Vapostori reportedly took over part of the farm’s machinery and
irrigation equipment, forcing the owner’s workers to work for them.
The neighboring community and politicians in the area argued that there was
no need to bring people from another region to invade local farms.
Former MP for Bulilima, Norman Mpofu, condemned the invasion.
Zanu-PF has in the past enjoyed the support of the Vapostori, with its late
political commissar, Border Gezi, having been an influential member of the
sect.
Gezi’s rise was spearheaded by the religious movement until his death in a
car accident.
Ever since Gezi’s death, Mugabe has kept ties with the religious movement,
promising to take care of its needs in order to keep its support.
He has been seen attending ceremonies conducted by the sect.
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai last year also attending the movement’s
gatherings.
However, last year in July at the opening of parliament, the Vapostori were
there to cheer Mugabe. They have also become regulars at Zanu-PF gatherings.
Last year Mugabe attended a pilgrimage ceremony at Mafararikwa school in
Marange, where an estimated 150000 people were in attendance.
At the ceremony the president endorsed some of the sect’s beliefs, such as
polygamy. Tsvangirai attended another gathering in the same region.