×
NewsDay

AMH is an independent media house free from political ties or outside influence. We have four newspapers: The Zimbabwe Independent, a business weekly published every Friday, The Standard, a weekly published every Sunday, and Southern and NewsDay, our daily newspapers. Each has an online edition.

Jabulani Sibanda at it again

Politics
WAR veterans’ leader Jabulani Sibanda yesterday continued his intimidation crusade and warned traditional and church leaders against accommodating MDC-T supporters in their communities.

WAR veterans’ leader Jabulani Sibanda yesterday continued his intimidation crusade and warned traditional and church leaders against accommodating MDC-T supporters in their communities.

Report by Everson Mushava

Addressing a Zanu PF campaign rally at Mubaira Growth Point in Mhondoro, Sibanda described Prime Minister and MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai as an agent of the devil.

“As traditional leaders, you should make sure that you don’t have anyone with MDC-T cards in your areas,” he said.

“We should work hard to ensure that we restore the country from the MDC-T. They don’t believe in our own God, but in Satan. I am shocked there are pastors who are in MDC-T structures.”

Sibanda likened Zanu PF to the biblical “first fish” from where Jesus Christ’s disciples fished a coin when they ran out of cash.

“Zanu PF is your first party. (President Robert) Mugabe is your first leader. Jesus said the first fish, not second, third or fourth. President Mugabe is your salvation. He represents the people’s interests, while Tsvangirai, Welshman Ncube (MDC leader), Dumiso Dabengwa (Zapu) and all the other parties are puppets of the West.

“They represent American interests and Americans are Satanists. Look at the back of a $1 bill, the 13 leaves that are there represent the 13 Americans who worshipped Satan. We like the whites when they are in their countries, not in Zimbabwe.

“When they come here, they should respect our laws.”

But MDC-T spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora scoffed at Sibanda’s remarks saying: “MDC respects and fears God and will not be drawn into a satanic debate which is designed to celebrate evil. Jabulani Sibanda and his Zanu PF masters are using the Lord’s name in vain. Since when has Sibanda feared God after all the suffering that he inflicted on the people of Zimbabwe? He must go to church and seek God’s forgiveness.”

Chiefs Chivero, Ngezi, Mashayamombe and Ziruvi were some of the traditional leaders who were at the meeting which was also attended by Mashonaland West Zanu PF provincial chairman John Mafa.

Sibanda’s speech contradicted the stance taken by other Zanu PF leaders, Mugabe included, who of late have at various forums advised their supporters to shun violence and the use of hate speech. The Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission have also warned against perpetuating hate language.

Sibanda has been on a whirlwind tour of the country’s 10 provinces meeting church, traditional and business leaders to drum up support for Zanu PF.