Event Summary
On 28 March 2026 the District Coordinating Committee (DCC) Chairman for Mashonaland East under ZANU–PF, Cde. Mike Mashonganyika, wrote to the Mudzi Administration instructing that church services on 29 March be suspended to allow congregants to attend a ZANU–PF inter‑district meeting at Kotwa High School, to be addressed by the provincial chairman, Cde. Daniel Garwe. The directive temporarily halted normal religious activities in the area and used local administrative channels to facilitate attendance at a ruling‑party political event held in a public school. The Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) has strongly criticised such actions, labelling the directive to suspend church services as “unacceptable and a direct affront to religious freedom”.
It is troubling that, at a time when people opposing Constitutional Amendment No. 3 are reportedly being arrested for merely meeting, ZANU–PF appears to have compelled the temporary closure of churches to advance its campaign. This contrast raises serious concerns about the impartiality of local administration and the equal application of restrictions on assembly and religion.