Staff Reporter
CHURCHES and the Government should combine forces to fight the drugs scourge, Matabeleland South Minister of Provincial Affairs and Devolution Albert Nguluvhe said on Saturday.
“The government can build police stations, prisons and barracks but churches build people. That is why I am appealing to you as churches to help fight the drugs scourge. Help us fight these drugs which are killing our nation,” said Nguluvhe.
He was speaking at a gathering of leaders of different denominations he invited for lunch and said he hoped such lunches can be repeated annually.
Nguluvhe said foremost there must be peace, which churches can build, before any development can be done.
“During the war we destroyed bridges, roads, hospitals and clinics because there was no peace, churches can provide this peace and development can be witnessed. I am asking the churches to pray for peace,” he said.
He said residents of Matabeleland South should speak to President Emmerson Mnangagwa through him and their issues will be addressed.
“Use me to air your problems and aspirations to President Mnangagwa and they will be addressed. There is a difference between Governors and resident Ministers, I report directly to the President and your issues will be addressed fast,” he said.
Nguluvhe asked parents to use him to assist children get work in Government departments.
“I have an office here. Visit me and let me make recommendations. We have been having problems that our children were only studyingbArts subjefts but I have since requested and was given 45 science laboratories in the province,” he said.
Nguluvhe asked church leaders and members to be united and not split like politicians.
Nguluvhe said people should understand that Vision 2030 is not a Zanu PF but a national project seeking to uplift the lives of people to upper middle class.
“A lot of people mistake this to be a Zanu PF project. It is a national project to uplift lives of everyone to upper middle class. We are the people who should push that vision so that it benefits everyone,” he said.
People should use their hands to work for themselves since tye time of manna and quealies was gone, he said urging people to remember that “nyika inovakwa nevene vayo”.
He asked Beitbridge residents to shun tribalism and regonalism saying Zimbabwe is one country.
On a lighter note Nguluvhe said he had prepared cow hooves (mazondo) and ox-head for the church leaders whose wives might not have adequate time to prepare them such meals because they will be busy.
Beitbridge West Member of Parliament asked Beitbridge Municipality to give stands to churches as opposed to beer outlets.