HARARE — Zimbabwe’s government has backed a church-led initiative aimed at strengthening governance, accountability and ethical leadership within religious institutions amid growing concern over abuse and misconduct in some churches.
The support was announced on Thursday at the launch of the Ministry Foundership and Governance Programme and the proposed National Church Governance and Compliance Framework by the Zimbabwe Christian Ministers Association (ZCMA) in Harare.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Hon Norbert Tichawona Mazungunye described the programme as a significant step towards improving accountability, ethical leadership and institutional integrity within churches.
He said the government viewed the Church as a key partner in promoting moral values, peace building and social cohesion, while the State remained responsible for protecting constitutional rights and ensuring adherence to the law.
Hon Mazungunye said Zimbabwe’s Constitution guarantees freedom of religion under Section 60, but stressed that the right must be exercised within the framework of the law and constitutional values.
“The pulpit must remain a place of hope and truth, never a platform for manipulation,” he said, warning against abuse and exploitation within some religious institutions.
The initiative by the Zimbabwe Christian Ministers Association received backing from several church mother bodies and faith-based organisations, including the Zimbabwe Council of Churches, Federation of Independent Churches, Apostolic Christian Churches of Zimbabwe, Union for the Development of Apostolic Churches in Zimbabwe Africa (UDACIZA), National Multi-Faith Economic Dialogue (NAMFED), Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe, Patriotic Churches in Zimbabwe, Pastors4ED, Board of Christ United, Global Fellowship of Christian Chaplains, Bible League International, Working With People Trust, Working for All Trust and Together for All.
Hon Mazungunye further said compliance with registration requirements, financial accountability measures and labour standards was essential for churches to maintain legitimacy and public trust.
“Compliance is not interference; it is protection, order and sustainability,” he said.
The government has strengthened cooperation with churches under the Second Republic, including involving religious organisations in national advisory platforms, governance structures and development programmes. This is seen as a positive given that
He said both the law and faith shared a common responsibility to protect vulnerable people, promote accountability and ensure authority was exercised responsibly.
The organisations committed themselves to ending abuse of authority and power by church leaders while promoting ethical leadership, accountability and good governance within religious institutions.
President of the Zimbabwe Christian Ministers Association, Bishop Dr Christopher Choto, said training church leaders was necessary to ensure ministers operated in line with both Zimbabwean law and biblical principles.
He said freedom of worship was not an absolute right and had to be exercised within the boundaries of the law.
Following the launch, the programme is expected to be rolled out across Zimbabwe’s provinces, where the Zimbabwe Christian Ministers Association, working together with government ministries and departments, will conduct training sessions on governance, accountability, ethical leadership, legal compliance and responsible church administration.
