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Nyemudzai Kakore Herald Correspondent
Churches yesterday urged Zimbabweans to respect the  ruling that will be pronounced by the Constitutional Court in a petition MDC-Alliance leader Mr Nelson Chamisa is challenging President Mnangagwa’s win in the July 30 harmonised elections.

The Constitutional Court hears the petition today.

President Mnangagwa polled 50,8 percent against Mr Chamisa’s 44,3 percent in an election the ruling Zanu-PF also garnered over two thirds majority in the National Assembly.

Addressing a Press conference in Harare yesterday, denominations comprising the Federation of Indigenous Churches of Zimbabwe (FICZ), the Zimbabwe Amalgamated Churches Council (ZACC) and the Zimbabwe National Elders Forum (ZNEF), also congratulated President Mnangagwa for winning the election.

FICZ representative Bishop Gift Marufu said Zimbabweans across the political divide should unite and be peaceful for the benefit of the country.

“We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the President, Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa, for being elected as our new President,” he said.

“The people of Zimbabwe have spoken and the will of God has been shown. We would like to congratulate the National Assembly members, councillors and to congratulate the Chief’s Council for re-electing Chief Fortune Charumbira as their president.

“Our President has always been preaching peace before, during and after the elections. Let us uphold the preaching of peace now and even after the outcome of the court case despite in whose favour the Constitutional Court judgment will be.”

Bishop Marufu said the July 30 harmonised elections were held in a peaceful, free and fair environment.

“We thank the new Government for opening up to the international community where the recent elections were held in an open, free and fair atmosphere where everyone was allowed to participate without hindrance,” he said.

“For any meaningful development in any country, there is need for peace, hence the mantra Zimbabwe is Open for Business.”

Bishop Marufu advised church leaders against being used by politicians and to desist from hate speech, inflammatory statements and violence.

He said the institution of the church fully understood that leaders come from God.

Bishop Marufu said the church was praying for whoever God chose to lead Zimbabwe.

On corruption, Bishop Marufu said: “We would like our President to continue with the anti-corruption crusade. As we may be aware, corruption is a cancer that can destroy our beloved nation.

“We also pledge to support the President in his endeavour to rebuild our nation economically through various economic empowerment initiatives and the opening of industry.”

ZACC patron Cde Jimayi Muduvuri said his organisation was going to embark on a two-day prayer session for peace to prevail in the country.

“Our churches are conducting prayer sessions in all the provinces across the country,” he said.

“Tomorrow (today) is a day that we have never witnessed in the country’s history during the past 37 years and that is why we have decided to pray for our nation.”

Cde Muduvuri said they were aware that some leaders might not accept the outcome of the court process and were bent on causing violence.

ZNEF chairman Mr Felex Mukonowengwe urged Zimbabweans to avoid inflammatory insinuations, saying peace was the greatest asset in nation building.

“Let us remember peace is an asset that we cannot afford to lose at any time if the hopes of our nation are to be realised,” he said.

“The consequences of losing peace are unfathomable and we need to guard it at all cost.”